Posted: Mon 26th Feb 2018

Two yellow ‘be aware’ weather warnings in place for Flintshire as cold air sweeps in from Siberia

News and Info from Deeside, Flintshire, North Wales
This article is old - Published: Monday, Feb 26th, 2018

This week is set to be one coldest periods we have had in the UK for a number of years as the tabloid titled ‘Beast from the East’ sweeps in with freezing temperatures, biting wind and heavy snow for some.

A number of National Severe Weather Warnings have been issued for across the UK over the next few days with heavy snow forecast particularly towards the east.

Some rural communities could become cut off due to snow and there is the potential for power cuts the Met Office has warned with widespread travel disruption likely.

The freezing conditions are likely to last through the week with very cold air from Russia crossing the UK while the easterly winds will result in a significant wind chill  making it feel several degrees colder than thermometers show.

Even without the wind chill some locations will struggle to get above 0 °C by day, with night-time temperatures ranging down to – 8 °C quite widely.

For Flintshire there are currently two YELLOW – ‘be aware’ warnings for snow in place from 12.05am on Tuesday through to 11.55pm and  6pm.

The warning from the Met Office says;

‘Snow showers or longer periods of snow are expected on Tuesday, accompanied by very low temperatures.

There is the potential for travel delays on roads, with some stranded vehicles and passengers, as well as delays or cancellations to rail and air travel.

Some rural communities could become cut off. Power cuts may also occur and other services, such as mobile phones, may be affected.’

Some areas could see a build-up of snow while others nearby could see very little, Met Office Chief Forecaster, Frank Saunders, said:

“Parts of England and Wales are likely to see their coldest spell of weather since at least 2013 – perhaps 1991.

This will lead to dangerous conditions on roads and pavements and have an impact on people’s health.

There is the potential for disruptive snowfall in many parts of the country throughout the week with the areas most at risk being eastern England and  eastern Scotland. Transport disruption is likely in areas with significant snowfall.

“With such low temperatures, snowfall is likely to be powdery, bringing the risk of drifting in the strong easterly winds. However, the air is so dry that hoar frost and ice will be less likely to form.”

Although Thursday is the first day of meteorological spring the high pressure over Russia bringing the cold easterly flow is expected to remain in place for several days and there are signs that the cold spell could last into the following week, most likely across northern areas.

Whilst it’s still little unclear on where, when and  just how much snow will fall in the county – one thing forecasters can guarantee is the temperature, it’s expected to dip well below freezing in Flintshire and remain there for the next few days.

Gritting

Flintshire County Council say they are well prepared for the adverse weather conditions and have plenty of rock salt stockpiled at its Alltami depot to spread on the counties roads.

Projected road surface temperature graphs for two ice sensor sites, one by the A55 at Brynford –  the other by the A541 at Hendre along with bespoke weather forecasts created for the council will assist in decision making process with regards to gritting actions taken.

Roads within the Flintshire are prioritised for treatment into Priority 1, 2 and 3 routes.

Flintshire County Council’s fleet of 14 bulk gritters will be out this evening treating nearly 400 miles of road surface.

If snow falls the vehicles which are all fitted with snow scoops will clear ‘priority 1’ routes these will be pre treated ahead of forecasted snowfall.

The council snow ploughs will be backed up by a team of 38 agricultural contractors who will help clear the highways.

Following a fall of snow with significant accumulations clearance work will continue around the clock until all priority 1 roads are clear.

When the priority 1 roads cleared and safe all available resources will be dedicated to priority 2 roads.

Priority 3 routes will receive attention when resources are available and after all priority 1 and 2 roads have received appropriate attention.

Priority 1 gritting routes: ► Trunk Roads (48 kms) ► Class A Roads (151 kms) ► Class B and C Roads. (351kms) ► Strategic/ Important Bus Routes (8 bus services or more per hour) ► Main access roads to schools or establishments of higher education to. Town centre access and distributor roads through villages and housing estates ► Industrial Estate Roads (10.1Kms)

2200 tonnes of rock salt is currently stored at the council’s Alltami depot, the council used 13,000 tonnes of salt during the last period of heavy snow in March and April 2013.

Due to national shortages of rock salt in previous years and following advice from the Welsh Government an additional strategic salt stock of 7000 tonnes is to be stored under sheeting at the Greenfield Recycling Site at Greenfield.

Map of gritting routes: click here

A spokesperson for Flintshire County Council said;

“The Council has well established Winter Maintenance Plans in place to deal with snow conditions at any time during the winter period. Updated information and travel advice will be available on the Council’s website during the week, if the snow conditions materialise.

The current stock levels are sufficient to deal with the snow that is currently forecast.  Schools will be provided with detailed forecasts, which will be updated as more information on road conditions are known.  The Councils already has drivers and supervisory teams on standby to deal with wintery weather and other staff will supplement the arrangements as required.”

Check on elderly neighbours

Public health specialist Dr Thomas Waite said: “With the days feeling a little longer and lighter it can be easy to forget that cold weather can still kill.

Over 65s, those with conditions like heart and lung diseases and young children, are all at particular risk in cold weather as their bodies struggle to cope when temperatures fall.

So before it gets cold check on friends, family and neighbours, who may be at risk and make sure they’re heating homes to at least 18C, see if they need any particular help or just someone to talk to and keep an eye on the Met Office’s forecasts and warnings. Remember keeping warm will help keep you well.”

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