
Road Amber Alert
The Highways Agency, which manages England’s motorways and major A roads, has updated its amber alert for anyone planning to travel on its network this weekend.
Following advice from Met Office forecasters based at the Agency’s national traffic operations centre, the Agency has extended its amber alert to 9am tomorrow morning. Previously the alert was in place until 11.59pm today.
An alert means there is a high probability of severe snow affecting the network, meaning a risk of adverse driving conditions.
Snow is forecast to extend beyond midnight to 9am tomorrow and move from the west across all regions,
The Met Office has forecast warning periods for individual regions as follows:
North West – 12-9pm Saturday: Snow away from the coast turning to rain. 10cm plus of snow possible over the Pennines to east of Manchester and also on Cumbrian routes. Manchester itself probably having a briefer period with around 5cm before turning to rain.
North East – 1pm to midnight Saturday but clearing North Yorkshire northwards by 9pm. Typically 5 to10cm but northern areas seeing a little less.
West Midlands - 1-9pm Saturday 5 to 10cm.
East Midlands - 3pm Saturday to 3am Sunday - 5 to 10cm typically.
South West – 2-6pm possibly across north east Gloucestershire about 5cm.
East - 4pm Saturday to 8am Sunday 5 to 10cm.
South East - 5pm Saturday to 9am Sunday - 5 to 10cm but rain or sleet near the coast.
All areas - Beware of freezing and patchy fog after the snow tonight.
Drivers are advised to make sure they are well-prepared for any journey. There is information on the Highways Agency website at www.highways.gov.uk/winter and regular updates on Twitter by following @winterhighways
Advice to road users
• In winter, weather can change quickly. Don’t travel in severe weather unless your journey is essential. If you must travel, be prepared for bad weather.
• Before you set out, check local and national weather forecasts. Listen to travel bulletins on the radio. Take an emergency kit including warm clothes, food, water, boots, a torch and spade.
• Remember that local conditions, such as bends or overhanging trees, can mean that you may need to drive with care even after road surfaces have been treated with salt.
Saturday February 4th 2012
The Onlines