First snow as Arctic winds hit Yorkshire

Snow showers were reported in parts of the Yorkshire Dales and forecasters expected more to fall and settle in the region today, particularly over the North York Moors overnight.

In many areas, the temperature was not expected to rise much above zero.

Tony Conlan, a forecaster with MeteoGroup UK said some areas of lower ground in Scotland saw their first meaningful snow, and a “wintry mix” of rain, sleet, hail and some snow will continue until late on Saturday.

“It will be colder than it has been, with temperatures typically ranging from 2C in parts of the Scottish highlands to 10 or 11C in the far west of England,” he added.

“Late on Saturday night there should be milder air coming in from the north west making it warmer on Sunday, but still not very pleasant, with rain just about everywhere.”

The Local Government Association yesterday said that hundreds of gritters were on standby to treat roads.

A survey by the body of councils across England and Wales found about 1.3 million tonnes of salt are currently stored in council depots – enough to fill more than 400 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

This is about twice as much as was used during last winter.

A spokesman said: “Councils have invested in new fleets of GPS-tracked gritting trucks, mini-gritters and specialist vehicles for narrow and hilly streets.

“Thousands of grit bins have been placed in estates and side streets, residents have been given their own bags of salt along with salt spreaders in some neighbourhoods, and arrangements have been made with parish councils, farmers and community groups to grit hard-to-reach areas.”

With the clocks going back this weekend, the AA has advised motorists to check their car for any blown bulbs to help them “see and be seen”.