UK weather: Motorists warn of 'absolutely treacherous' road conditions

A fleet of snow ploughs are dispatched to free stranded vehicles, with fears of further traffic chaos as temperatures plummet.


Motorists are digging out cars trapped by heavy snowfall as severe wintry conditions threaten fresh travel disruption over the weekend.

Drivers, forced to abandon their vehicles, told Sky News that road conditions had been "absolutely treacherous".
Overnight sleet and snow hampered efforts to free motorists trapped in parts of Kent, with police reporting an "incredibly busy night" and multiple vehicles stuck.
The force also said there had also been "numerous RTCs (road traffic collisions) and vehicles going the wrong way on the motorway".
People work to free their cars trapped by heavy snow near the M3 in Basingstoke
Image:People work to free their cars trapped by heavy snow near the M3 in Basingstoke
Motorists abandoned their cars because of the treacherous driving conditions
Image:Motorists abandoned their cars because of the treacherous driving conditions
Drivers also found themselves stranded on routes in Hampshire, including the M3.
Highways England said 14 gritters fitted with snow ploughs worked to clear the motorway.
Lynda Magee was forced to stay in a hotel overnight after her car got stuck in blizzard conditions.
She told Sky News: "It was absolutely treacherous.
"Visibility was bad, the snow was really heavy and there was no sign of any grip whatsoever.
"It was very, very scary, very slippery."
At Basingstoke Hospital, staff slept on site to ensure medical cover while volunteer 4x4 drivers helped take stranded patients home.
There are warnings of continuing treacherous road conditions because of lingering snow and freezing temperatures.
Motorists in affected areas are being urged to stick to main roads and avoid steep hills and exposed routes, ensuring that their windscreens are clear of snow, frost and condensation before setting off.
A yellow weather warning for ice remains in force for much of East Anglia and across a swathe of the South stretching from Kent down to Cornwall.
The Met Office said: "After dark, temperatures will fall rapidly and untreated wet surfaces, particularly those where snow has partly melted and then refreezes, will become very icy."
Scotland could see lows of minus 16C (3.2F) overnight Saturday into Sunday, while forecasters say parts of England could see sub-zero temperatures reach double digits.
Meteorologist Alex Burkill said: "Over Saturday we'll see some snow showers around the far north, the far west and the far east of the UK.
"Elsewhere it's a cold day again and feeling especially cold in the South where it will be breezy, but for most it will be dry and sunny.
"Saturday night it's likely to be very similar to Thursday night - we could get down to minus 16C (3.2F) in Scotland, but it's worth bearing in mind that even across the south we could get into negative double figures."
Snow in Ullapool, north Scotland, where temperatures dropped to -10C. Pic: Bridget Oeppen
Image:Snow in Ullapool, north Scotland, where temperatures dropped to -10C. Pic: Bridget Oeppen
Looking ahead, a Met Office weather alert has been issued for snow and ice in parts of Scotland going into Monday.
It comes after snow caused widespread disruption on Friday with 19cm recorded at RAF Odiham in Hampshire by the evening.
It also caused havoc in the South West, forcing motorists to abandon their cars and schools to close their doors.
Air travellers experienced disruption with flights cancelled at Bristol, Cardiff and London City airports, although services had resumed on Saturday.
Singer Olly Murs made the most of the snow, posting a video of himself on Facebook dancing around semi-naked in his garden and doing the caterpillar.
In the North, former England captain David Beckham had to call off a visit to Salford City because of the weather.
He was due to watch the non-league club - which he took a 10% stake in last month - take on Maidstone in the FA Trophy on Saturday after his appointment as a director was formally approved by the FA on Thursday, but the fixture has postponed until Tuesday.
Meanwhile, ice falling from the famous Wembley stadium arch posed a hazard to players in Tottenham's Premier League clash with Newcastle.
Magpies keeper Martin Dubravka had a near miss with a falling chunks of ice, while there were reports during the game that Tottenham's Kieran Trippier also narrowly avoided being hit.
A snowy outlook on Mynydd Llangynidr, a mountain near Ebbw Vale in South Wales
Image:A snowy outlook on Mynydd Llangynidr, near Ebbw Vale in South Wales. Pic: Elizabeth Sullivan
Elsewhere, Football League fixtures at Crewe and Port Vale on Saturday have also fallen victim to the cold snap.
And in Scotland, Stranraer have announced their Ladbrokes League One meeting with Stenhousemuir is off following a pitch inspection at Stair Park.
Experts have also warned skiers against using the snowy weather to try out their technique on the street or pavement.
Daniel Loots, from the Ski Club of Great Britain, said that "although it looks fun it's pretty dangerous".
As well as the possibility of the snow being full of grit, Mr Loots said: "Pavement users may not have the ability to stop or turn should you be on course for collision."

Comments