Weather update 13/2/12 - 14:39pm
Milder temperatures over the weekend have seen snow and ice thaw across the East Riding but night-time dropped around freezing, meaning the council's winter maintenance team carried out treatments of the precautionary and secondary networks.
The council may need to salt the main roads tonight as ice and frost is forecast and motorists are asked to drive with extra care.
John Skidmore, head of streetscene services, said: "The immediate forecast predicts that weather conditions this week will be less severe than last, but the council is continuously monitoring the weather and will plan any operations accordingly, in line with the winter maintenance plan."
Weather update 10/2/12 - 10:14am
The council’s winter maintenance team has been working around the clock and has treated the precautionary network twice overnight and ploughed roads where needed.
The secondary network will be treated today.
Forecasts predict some light rain and snow this morning but a dry afternoon and a cold night, with temperatures dropping as low as -9C. The weekend will be cloudy and murky, with some outbreaks of rain and night-time temperatures remaining close to freezing. So there will continue to be the risk of icy conditions across the East Riding.
John Skidmore, head of streetscene services, said: “The council has been treating the precautionary and secondary road networks and our street sweeping and grounds maintenance staff have been diverted to snow clearing operations in high-pedestrian areas. Bin collection staff are out working as normal.
“The council is continuously monitoring the weather and will plan its weekend operations accordingly, in line with the winter maintenance plan.
“We urge all residents to stay safe during this spell of severe winter weather and for motorists to drive to the conditions, allow extra time for their journeys and travel on the main treated network.”
Weather update 9/2/12 - 08:29am
During the course of this morning sleet and snow is expected to spread across the area, though it could be early to mid-afternoon before it finally reaches the entire Humber region.
A period of freezing rain is also possible, especially over higher parts of north and west Yorkshire, resulting in some very icy conditions. The sleet and snow could then turn heavy and persistent at times during the afternoon and evening, giving 2-5cms in places. Overnight, most of the sleet and snow will turn to rain as slightly milder conditions move in.
Friday and the weekend will be rather cloudy and murky, with some outbreaks of rain and night time temperatures will remain close to freezing.
John Skidmore, head of streetscene services, said: “The council is continuously monitoring the weather and will plan its operations accordingly in line with the winter maintenance plan.
“We urge all residents to stay safe during this spell of severe winter weather and for motorists to drive to the conditions, allow extra time for your journeys and travel on the main treated network.”
Weather update 7/2/12 - 11:27am
The council completed salting of the precautionary network late last night, along with some spot ploughing, particularly in the Wolds due to some snow drifting.
At 8am the fleet of gritters was then sent on to the secondary network again, to get a further 280 miles treated. The council will also be making inroads into other important routes where it can.
Street sweeping and grounds maintenance staff have again been diverted on to snow clearing operations in high pedestrian usage areas across the East Riding and are also using quad bikes to spread grit/salt in precincts.
Teams are also replenishing salt bins across the area and the council is also using tractors with ploughs fitted to remove snow from the main car parks.
The above operations will continue throughout today.
Bin collection staff are out working as normal.
John Skidmore, head of the streetscene services, said: “Conditions in some villages and minor roads continue to be extremely difficult with compact snow and we will continue to work with town and parish councils on the local deployment of resources delivered through the special grant funding scheme, put in place by the council.”
The forecast for the next few days is for road surface temperatures to remain below freezing (range -1C to -7C) from late afternoon until mid-morning. Temperatures will rise from midday to around 4C, which will allow a slight thaw. There will also be patches of freezing fog across the East Riding, but no snow. So the main issue remains ice.
The council will continue with the above operations until conditions further improve.
Weather update 6/2/12 - 10:50am
Ploughing and gritting operations have continued overnight following the heavy snow and icy conditions over the weekend.
Staff from East Riding of Yorkshire Council have completed salting the precautionary network early this morning, along with some spot ploughing, particularly in the Wolds.
At 8am, the salting fleet started on the secondary network, which will see a further 280 miles of road network treated.
Throughout the day, street sweeping staff and grounds maintenance staff will be clearing snow and ice from pedestrian areas across the East Riding and quad bikes will be out spreading salt.
Tractors with ploughs attached have been removing snow from the main car parks in Beverley. Goole and Bridlington.
Bin collections will continue as normal.
While there is no snow forecast for the next few days, temperatures are expected to remain below freezing leaving icy patches along with freezing fog.
John Skidmore, head of streetscene services at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: "Conditions in some villages and on minor roads will be extremely difficult with compact snow and we will continue to work with town and parish councils on the local deployment of resources delivered through the special grant funding scheme put in place by the council."
Weather update 4/2/12 - 2:05pm
Weather conditions are set to deteriorate with a band of snow expected to arrive from the west
into the East Riding at 4pm today (Saturday). There will be a covering of 2cm - 5cm everywhere and upto 15cm on the Wolds and high ground.
The snow will move away in the early hours and then with skies clearing there will be icy conditions on roads. It will remain cold tomorrow with little thaw expected and below freezing again through Sunday night.
The precautionary and secondary networks have had a good covering of salt this morning and again this afternoon. The fleet of gritters are ready to respond around the clock.
We have put our plans in place across the Council's key services and been in discussion with our colleagues in emergency services.
We urge residents to be prepared, only travel this evening if absolutely necessary and to allow extra time for journeys tomorrow due to the wintery conditions.
Make sure your vehicle is ready for winter
During winter, you should regularly check your vehicle, especially before a long journey.
Remember to:
- top up screen wash
- clean windscreen and check wiper blades are working properly
- check and replace anti-freeze
- make sure the battery is fully charged
- check tyres are correctly inflated and have plenty of tread
- clean lights and check bulbs
Pack an emergency kit
It’s a good idea to have an emergency kit in the boot in case the weather changes during your journey.
You may never need it but it is useful have in your car.
Items should include:
- ice scraper and de-icer
- torch
- warm clothes and a blanket
- boots
- first aid kit
- battery jump leads
- a shovel
In really cold weather, a flask with food and a warm drink would also be a good idea.
Be a good neighbour
Some residents find it difficult to get out in cold and icy weather. You could offer help to those who can’t help themselves.
You could help a neighbour to stay safe and warm this winter by:
- picking up essential shopping and prescriptions
- helping to clear snow and salt their footpaths and drives, wherever possible
Drive Sensibly
Always drive according to the conditions. One of the most important things is to give yourself plenty of time for your journey. You don’t want to be rushing on icy roads. Treat all roads as if they were unsalted, it’s better to underestimate your grip on the road than overestimate it.
Check traffic and weather updates
In the event of severe winter weather, up-to-date weather and road information will be broadcast on local radio:
- BBC Radio Humberside 95.9FM/1485AM/DAB
- BBC Radio York 95.5FM
- 96.9 Viking FM 96.9FM
- Magic 1161MW
- Capital FM 105.8FM
- Yorkshire Coast Radio 96.2 or 102.4FM (Bridlington) 103.1FM (Scarborough)
- KCFM 99.8FM
John Skidmore, head of streetscene services at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “The council is well-prepared for any winter weather events that might occur in the East Riding over the weekend and will be treating the precautionary network in the early evening in anticipation of further snow.
“Present reports indicate that there might be possible snow flurries tonight along the coast, with temperatures dropping as low as -8C. The council will treat the secondary network tomorrow morning as well as the strategic foot network.
“The council will then treat the precautionary network again and fit our vehicles with snow ploughs in advance of the snow falls tomorrow evening, which should be short but heavy, and see around 5-10cm of snow fall across the East Riding, possibly rising to 15cm on higher ground.
“All salt barns are fully-stocked and the council’s winter maintenance team is receiving regular updates and constantly monitoring the weather.”
For regular updates, follow the council's updates on the website or on Twitter @ER_roads or for further winter maintenance information visit the road and footpath salting page.
