The weather forecast from Saturday into Sunday remains uncertain, but the latest update from the Met Office suggests an initial widespread covering of snow on Saturday evening.
Whilst this will turn to rain at lower levels during the later part of the evening, some higher elevations in RCT could see in excess of 10cm of snow.
As the snow transitions back to rain in the early hours of Sunday, there is a risk of widespread ice and freezing rain before the milder weather arrives later on Sunday.
Our highways gritters and snowploughs, supported by teams from Cleansing and Parks with tractors mounted with gritters and 4×4 jeep gritters, plus external contractors will be deployed from Saturday afternoon into the night. However, with heavy snowfall possible and then the freezing rain and ice, we are urging the public not to travel unless absolutely essential from Saturday evening through until Sunday mid-morning.
Please note that on Saturday night and into Sunday morning, the Council’s night mobile responder service will not be operating and there will also be changes and delays to some domiciliary care visits and your provider will contact you to discuss and confirm arrangements. On Sunday morning, Council facilities such as leisure centres, parks and cemeteries will not be opening until 11am when the risk of ice will have reduced.
We’d also urge residents to please park sensibly as our gritting units are likely to be fitted with snowploughs and parking on main routes, junctions, etc. could impede snowploughs passing, which will mean that some routes are unable to be gritted throughout the inclement weather.
Please check the Met Office website for the latest information and weather warning updates.