The Yellow National Severe Weather Warning area covers much of central England and eastern Wales, from Manchester to London, but the public is being advised to expect frosty conditions in many areas.

Frank Saunders is a Chief Meteorologist at the Met Office. He said: “We are advising commuters to pay particular attention to the potential for ice and frost to affect journeys tomorrow morning. Although most gritted surfaces will stay ice-free, there is a particular for risk that pavements and untreated roads, especially minor ones, could be very slippery.

“A very cold night is in store for many, and as moister air comes in to contact with cold surfaces later, there is the potential for a lot of frost to form, rendering some surfaces hazardous.”

 

Winter driving can pose particular challenges to drivers. RAC spokesman Rod Dennis offered the following advice for driving over winter: “Drivers are facing a mix of hazards – notably much colder conditions. Any lingering fog calls for drivers to adjust their speed and maintain longer stopping distances and to use dipped headlights. Only use your car’s fog lights if visibility is badly reduced, as using them when it’s not, means you risk dazzling other drivers.

"Motorists should remember that if their car thermometer records a temperature of 4 degrees or lower, there is a good chance the road temperature is near or even below freezing, meaning a very real risk of ice and slippery roads. Keep listening to traffic reports before you start your trip and if conditions are bad, aim to stick to major routes which are much more likely to be gritted."

Commenting on the forecast for the next few days, Frank Saunders added: “During the next week, we are likely to see a lot of dry weather. There’ll be cloudy, slightly milder conditions alternating with clearer, frosty spells across most areas. However, Friday does look a little wetter for some though.”

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