St Albans residents are being urged to take ‘extra care’ after weather warnings were issued, with the Met Office, Public Health England (PHE) and Herts Police offering a range of advice.
A level three cold weather alert was issued yesterday (Thursday) for all regions of England – these occur during times of severe weather, when average temperatures have dropped to 2 deg C, and/or widespread ice or heavy snow is present.
The alert was given because of a 99 per cent probability of severe cold weather, icy conditions and snow between Thursday and Tuesday (19) in parts of England.
Dr Angie Bone of PHE said that with many places likely to feel “really cold for the next few days” this may come as a shock after recent milder weather.
Paul Gunderson, chief operational meteorologist at the Met Office, said: “It will turn much colder for all parts of England over the next few days.
“The cold weather looks like lasting into the early part of next week.”
The Met Office’s weather forecast for St Albans over the weekend shows that temperatures are predicted to drop to minus two tomorrow (Saturday), and minus one on Sunday.
Older people’s charity Independent Age has issued a warning to older people, their families and carers to take extra care during the cold snap.
An estimated 36,300 excess winter deaths occurred in England and Wales in 2014/15 among people aged 75 and over.
Richard Barker of the Beds, Cambs and Herts Roads Policing Unit warned: “It may look nice and sunny outside but the freezing temperatures can lead to ice on the road, which you may not be able to see.”
In neighbouring Beds today (Friday) police dealt with 33 road traffic collisions early this morning, between midnight and 10am, and with weather conditions due to worsen over the weekend, officers are urging people to take care on the roads.
And Herts Police has warned drivers not to leave vehicles unattended with keys in the ignition, while waiting for it to defrost.
Inspector Paul Lawrence, of the Crime Reduction Unit said: “Your insurance companies may not cover you if your vehicle is left insecure or the keys are left in the ignition.”
Frosty weather makes driving hazardous, so the force has advised:
• Fully de-ice your windscreen and de-mist windows before moving off. Driving without clear visibility is illegal and puts pedestrians and other road users at risk.
• Slow down and try to keep your steering smooth and avoid braking sharply where possible.
• Make sure you leave plenty of space between yourself and the vehicle in front of you.
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