An emergency service warning has been issued after snow and ice hit the North East and North Yorkshire over the last few days. 

On Thursday (January 18), residents in both regions woke up to snow and icy conditions, with the cold snap continuing into Friday (January 19). 

As the temperatures fell to minus two degrees in certain places overnight, emergency services have issued a warning to road users to take care when negotiating roads. 

North Yorkshire Police in particular were keen to warn motorists in the region after attending several road traffic collisions where weather played a factor. 

Here is the advice they issued:

  • Leave extra time for your journey and remember, it doesn’t matter if you’re late! On treacherous roads, it is literally a case of better late than never
  • Take extra care on corners and try to avoid excessive braking or acceleration
  • Even if the roads have been gritted, drive carefully – you never know what is around the next corner
  • Leave a generous space between you and the car in front so you have as much time as possible to react to anything up ahead
  • Ensure your windscreens, windows, mirrors and lights are completely clear of frost and ice before setting off – leave at least an extra 10 minutes for de-icing
  • Take extra warm weather clothing and blankets in the car – as well as some food and water – just in case you become stranded.
  • And finally, if the roads are snowy or icy then consider whether your journey really is necessary. If it isn’t essential, don’t go.

Cold Arctic air that has been dominating the UK in recent days is subsiding, replaced by an Atlantic influence which will bring a return to milder conditions, but also bring wet and windy weather across the UK on Sunday.

Amber and yellow severe weather warnings have been issued as Storm Isha approaches the UK on Sunday, in what will be a widely windy day for the UK. Many places are likely to see gusts of 50-60mph, even inland. Near coasts there will be widespread gusts of 60-70mph, possibly reaching 80 mph in a few places.

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Chief Meteorologist, Dan Suri, said: “Storm Isha will bring strong winds to the whole of the UK through Sunday and into Monday. The areas of particular concern are reflected by a large Amber severe weather warning which covers Northern Ireland, central and southern Scotland, Wales, much of northern England as well as southwestern parts of England.

“In these regions we could see gusts frequently between 50-60mph and even up to 80mph in exposed coastal locations. As the storm starts to move away on Monday morning very strong winds will also develop in the far southeast of England, bringing the risk of 70-80mph gusts here too in the early hours of Monday morning.

“Storm Isha will bring a disruptive spell of weather to the UK with strong winds across the whole country. Heavy rain will cause additional hazards, particularly in the west. A number of severe weather warnings for rain have also been issued. Keep up to date with the Met Office warnings and pay close attention to guidance from your local authority.”