Gloucestershire County weather update

Posted on By Pauline

Gritters will be going out around the county tonight as more snow is expected to fall.
Teams will be going out later this evening treating primary routes – all A and B roads – ahead of the predicted snowfall from around 2am.

Coming from the north, forecasters say the snow will fall during the early hours and again during tomorrow morning accumulating to between 2cm and around 9cms particularly on higher ground.
However, the snow will turn to sleet and then rain by mid-morning turning most of the snow to slush.

Temperatures are expected to fall to just below freezing but will rise over the weekend and into next week.
Tomorrow morning, drivers will need to take care on the roads.
Tips on winter driving can be found online at www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/winter.

While the council will do all it can to keep roads free of ice, residents are also being urged to do their bit too by helping to clear pavements.

Last year people were worried about liability issues after clearing ice and snow themselves.
But new guidance from the government on gritting your own driveways and pavements is now available on www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/winter and people are being advised to ensure they’re prepared before bad weather hits.

Latest Bulletin from Gloucestershire Highways.

Posted on By Pauline

Current Weather Conditions:
All areas: A few snow showers at various points of the county, overcast with temperatures currently just below freezing.

Current/Recent Treatments:

East:  Ploughing on key routes continued until 21:00/22:00 (20/12/10), and recommenced from 04:00 this morning. Gritting being carried out on Cirencester Key Routes this morning. (Route C7 Only – due to breakdown when other routes were completed)

West: Key route grit of 15g just being completed in west. Additional ploughing will commence on key routes. Farm ploughs assisting in rural areas.

Central: Key route grit of 15g carried out at 23:00 on 20/12/10. Scouts across the area were out in the early hours and additional salting and ploughing currently being carried out at hazardous locations on the key routes.

Proposed actions during the day/night:

All areas: Treatment decision for the next 24 hour period will be made following receipt of the forecast due at lunchtime.

All areas: Treatment decision for the next 24 hour period will be made following receipt of the forecast due at lunchtime.

Network Risks:   

  • East: All treated routes passable with care. Untreated network very icy, extreme caution required
  • West: All treated routes passable with care. Untreated network very icy, extreme caution required.
  • Central:  All treated routes passable with care. Untreated network very icy, extreme caution required.

www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/winter

Freezing Temperatures Cause Icy Roads

Posted on By Pauline

Motorists are being urged to take extreme care as freezing temperatures cause widespread ice on roads across the county.

Gloucestershire County Council has been out over the weekend and overnight gritting roads to try to prevent ice from forming. Gritting teams were out throughout the day yesterday, treating the roads and ploughing to remove snow, with up to 12 inches falling in parts of the county.

To ensure roads were treated again before temperatures dropped overnight, a second team was brought in during early evening and a complete grit run of all A and B roads in the central area took place at 7pm last night. But when temperatures plummet below -7, grit become less effective. Below -10, grit has no effect at all. Last night, the county saw averages temperatures of around -10 with some areas dropping to as low as -17. This has led to widespread ice forming on the roads with particular problems in urban areas of Cheltenham and Gloucester.

The council already has fleets out around the county, but with temperatures likely to fall to below -7 again, ice is likely to remain on the roads. Cllr Stan Waddington, cabinet member for environment, said: “I completely understand people’s frustrations, but when we’re seeing temperatures as low as -17 no amount of gritting will make any difference. “Unfortunately, grit does not work when it’s this cold and there is simply nothing we can do about that. We will continue to do all we can to keep the roads moving, but I am afraid that there are no easy solutions here. I would advise people to make essential journeys only and to take extreme care if they have to go out in the car and check the forecast before leaving.”

Motorists are advised to stay off the roads if possible, but if you do have to drive, do so with extreme caution.

Tips on winter driving can be found online at www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/winter.

Inspector Keith Fagan, Gloucestershire Police, said: “Due to the current adverse weather conditions we are continuing to advise drivers not to make their journey unless it is absolutely necessary. If you must travel then the first thing I would always recommend is that you allow plenty of time to complete your journey.”

  • Trying to reach a destination within a tight time-scale, especially in poor weather conditions, increases stress and the potential for an incident.
  • Drivers are also urged to prepare their vehicle and make sure it is in good condition before setting out.
  • Make sure that you clear all the snow, ice and misting from your windscreen and other windows before starting to drive. 
  • Keep your speed steady and slow and remember that braking distances can more than double on wet or icy road surfaces.

While the council will do all it can to keep roads free of ice, residents are being urged to do their bit too by helping to clear pavements.

Last year people were worried about liability issues after clearing ice and snow themselves. But new guidance from the government on gritting your own driveways and pavements is now available on www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/winter and people are being advised to ensure they’re prepared before bad weather hits.

Gloucestershire Highways Adverse Weather Bulletin – Sunday 19th Dec

Posted on By Pauline

Current Weather Conditions:

All areas: Dry, cloudy with occasional bright spells. Temperatures remaining well below zero.

24hour forecast: This afternoon will be cloudy and dry. It will remain dry overnight with some clear spells for a time. Patchy freezing fog will form as the night progresses. Monday morning will see the freezing fog lifting, but it will remain cloudy. There is a chance that snow may arrive towards midday. RST’s will be mostly well below zero through the forecast period with widespread ice and hoar frost.

2 to 5 day forecast: RST’s will remain mostly well below zero through the outlook period with widespread ice and hoar frost. Monday afternoon will be cloudy with some outbreaks of snow, although there is uncertainty regarding how heavy the snow will be. Tuesday will be cloudy with some further snow likely and this could turn heavy in the late morning/early afternoon with a risk of moderate accumulations. The snow should die away in the evening. Some patchy freezing fog may form later. Wednesday will start mainly dry with patchy freezing fog slowly lifting. There is a small risk that an area of moderate to heavy snow could extend northwards from the near continent for a time in the afternoon and overnight. Thursday will be largely dry and bright and it will remain dry overnight with clear spells for the most part, although freezing fog may form.

Current/Recent Treatments:

  • East:  Key route grit of 15g carried out at 19:00 on 18/12/10. Key route action called this morning due to snow on network from yesterday, a further 15g on network plus ploughing, this action is currently ongoing.
  • West: Key route grit of 15g carried out at 19:00 on 18/12/10. Scouting of northern area carried out this morning, no ploughing required.
  • Central: Key route grit of 15g carried out at 19:00 on 18/12/10. Scouting of northern area carried out this morning, Ploughing commenced on A435 at Bishops Cleeve and B4077 near Toddington at 11:00, this action is ongoing.

Proposed actions during the day/night:

  • East: Additional grit to be placed on strategic parts of key route network to improve friction and grip.
  • West & Central: Key route grit of 10g (15g where required) at 19:00

Network Risks:   

  • East: A429 at Fossbridge closed due to RTC involving a petrol tanker, Police closures of other main routes remain in place, treatment continuing. Reports of vehicles ignoring police closures. Police advise public to stay at home unless journey is essential.
  • West: All treated routes passable. Untreated network very icy, extreme caution required.
  • Central:  All treated routes passable. Untreated network very icy, extreme caution required.

Gloucestershire Highways – Adverse Weather Bulletin

Posted on By Pauline

Date:    18/12/2010
Time:    14:30
Issued By:    John Kay

24hour forecast: This afternoon will be dull with some intermittent snow. It will remain mainly cloudy overnight, although the snow will largely die out. A few clear spells may develop later. Tomorrow morning will be mainly dry and bright. RST’s will be mostly well below zero with widespread ice.

2 to 5 day forecast: It will remain cold throughout; RST will remain mostly below zero, with widespread ice and hoar frost. Sunday night will be dry, clear spells before patches of fog will form. Monday will become cloudy, with snow arriving in the south. It will stay cloudy overnight with moderate to heavy snow for much of the time. Tuesday will be cloudy with the snow easing through the morning. More snow may arrive from the south by the end of the day. Wednesday will see any snow die out to leave a largely dry day with sunny intervals, although there is low confidence on the timings and intensity of the snow.

Current/Recent Treatments:

  • East:  Key route patrolled since 04:00 and ploughed/salted as required. Ploughing continuing, but due to heavy snowfall A class routes being prioritised.
  • West: Key route patrolled between 04:00 and 13:00, ploughed/salted as required
  • Central: Key route patrolled since 04:00 and ploughed/salted as required. Ploughing continuing in the northern section of the central area. All clear in the south.

Proposed actions during the day/night:
All Areas: Key route grit of 15g at 19:00.

Network Risks:   

  • East: A429 at Fossbridge closed due to RTC involving a petrol tanker, likely to be closed for 3 days. A40 Charlton Kings closed. A436 Seven Springs to Andoversford. Heavy snow means only essential journeys should be considered. Extreme caution required.
  • West: All routes passable.
  • Central:  All routes passable.

Gloucestershire – Cold snap continues

Posted on By Pauline

Further light snow is expected to fall across Gloucestershire once again this evening.
Weather experts say further isolated snow showers are likely to travel from the east and could give a light covering on higher ground this afternoon into this evening. Gloucestershire County Council’s gritters will be out this evening at 7pm treating the roads following any further snow. They will be treating the main roads, which now includes town and city centres to ensure people can still access shops and businesses.

The team will be monitoring the weather overnight to decide if any further action is required.
Temperatures will continue to plummet below freezing for the rest of the week, so drivers will face icy conditions, particularly in the early mornings. Residents are urged to take responsibility for their own driveways and pavements near their homes. Guidance for people on clearing snow and ice is available on www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/winter and residents are encouraged to check it out.
Safer driving advice is also available on the website.

Jenny Wilks, Gloucestershire Highways Manager, said: “This is the first snow of the year and understandably people are concerned. “So far, the snow hasn’t been particularly heavy and on the whole, roads have remained open and passable with care. “We will be out gritting again tonight to help prevent ice from forming on the main roads. “However, it is inevitable that these freezing temperatures will affect driving conditions so I would encourage people to take extra care on the roads.”