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Counties on the east coast are bracing themselves for an Arctic blast so gritting of major roads will continue, the Highways Agency has said.

Heavy snow is forecast for Tuesday and visibility could reduce sharply in the showers, drivers are warned.

Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk are the counties most at risk.

The Met Office said the weather would also see widespread severe frosts with an increased risk of icy conditions - especially on untreated roads.

A Highways Agency spokesman said: "Drivers are advised to slow down and leave plenty of room between vehicles, as it can take up to 10 times longer to slow down or stop in wet or icy conditions.

"We are working closely with Met Office to give drivers up-to-date information about road conditions, and where snow and ice are forecast we will be treating motorways and other strategic roads.

"Highways Agency gritters will be treating motorways and other strategic roads overnight into Tuesday," he added.

Story from:
BBC NEWS
Published: 2006/02/27 17:31:33 GMT

Arctic weather warning for the UK
Huge 40ft waves hammer against the side of Tynemouth light house,
On Tuesday Britain was buffeted with high winds - with more to come.
Icy winds from the North Pole are due to sweep across the country as Britain prepares for some of the coldest weather so far this year.

Despite 1 March being the first official day of Spring, temperatures could plummet to -15C (5F) in northern Scotland, with 20cm of snow in parts.

Elsewhere, the BBC Weather Centre predicts temperatures will drop to around 3-5C (37-45F).

Northern Ireland, Wales and south-west England will also see snow.

It comes after snow and strong winds buffeted northern parts of Scotland, northern Ireland and eastern English areas including Lincolnshire and East Anglia on Tuesday.

Hazardous driving

Snow and ice led to dangerous driving conditions early on Wednesday, with motoring groups warning drivers to take extra care on the roads.

Temperatures in Scotland during daylight hours were unlikely to rise above freezing, the BBC Weather Centre said.

The wind was expected to be about 25mph at its strongest, causing extra problems by "blowing the snow about", the weather centre said.



The Highways Agency said gritters were expected to be working overnight to treat motorways and other major roads.

"Drivers are advised to slow down and leave plenty of room between vehicles, as it can take up to 10 times longer to slow down or stop in wet or icy conditions.

"The Highways Agency works closely with Met Office to give drivers up-to-date information about road conditions and where snow and ice are forecast will be treating motorways and other strategic roads."

Towards the end of the week and into the weekend a second icy weather front is predicted, bringing snow to central and southern England. BBC

Icy northerly winds will bring more snow on Wednesday night and Thursday as the country is gripped by some of the coldest weather so far this year.

Northern Scotland and Wales were expected to see the worst of the conditions, with the situation easing slightly in Northern Ireland.

Temperatures of -5C and 20cm of snow were forecast in parts of Scotland.

And forecasters raised the prospect that southern England could be hit by snow showers on Friday.

'Atrocious conditions'

BBC weatherman John Hammond said there was an outside chance the south would see prolonged snowfall.

On Wednesday night and Thursday, northern Scotland would see "atrocious conditions" he said, with heavy snowfall that would also hit Wales.

Northern Ireland would see snow showers throughout the night, but with conditions easing "to some extent".

On Tuesday night temperatures fell to -6C (21F) in Sennybridge, in the Brecon Beacons National Park in Wales.

Snow brought an unexpected St David's Day holiday for schoolchildren.

Roads warning

Up to 5in (12cm) of snow fell on high ground in Northern Ireland, with snow falls particularly heavy in the north and west, as temperatures dropped to about -3C (26F).

Hundreds of schools in Scotland were closed for a second day as blizzards and freezing temperatures hit northern parts.

In south Wales, trains were cancelled while in the rest of the country and Scotland, treacherous road conditions were reported.

The Highways Agency said "Drivers are advised to slow down and leave plenty of room between vehicles, as it can take up to 10 times longer to slow down or stop in wet or icy conditions," said a spokesperson.

Story from :
BBC NEWS
Published: 2006/03/01 20:52:36 GMT