Met Office: Gritters on standby in region as snow forecast

In preparation for icy and snowy weather later this month and into winter, councils have been readying their fleet of gritters to be prepared if temperatures drop. 

According to WX Charts, a small amount of snow is forecast for September 27 that could fall in County Durham, North Yorkshire and parts of Teesside. 

Gritters on the streets if the North East (Image: PA MEDIA) Despite the suggestion from WX Charts, the long-term forecast from the Met Office notes that 'cold weather' could be on the way but there is no suggestion of snow.

In its forecast between Tuesday, September 24 and Thursday, October 3, the Met Office says: "Some rain across southeastern parts, lighter and not as extensive as previous days and tending to ease away to the southeast by the end of Tuesday.

"Elsewhere, generally settled conditions prevailing for most places, although with a band of cloud and some rain moving across the far north, particularly the northwest and a few showers moving into western parts further south.

The WX charts showing the snow and rain that could fall on September 27 (Image: WX CHARTS) "Temperatures likely a bit cooler than previous days. A transition to a generally more unsettled, mobile westerly pattern is most likely by midweek and beyond, with spells of wind and rain moving into many areas, but more especially in the south.

"Towards the end of the week, much cooler, showery conditions are expected for many parts with the north and west likely being a focus for these showers."

To combat the snowy conditions, North Yorkshire Council has been setting out how it will use its gritters in the region. 

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Using a budget of £8.3m for 2024/2025, which will cover costs of duty managers, operatives, standby, fleet and salt, there will be 70 gritters in the countywide fleet, which includes the provision of spare gritters in each main and satellite depot.

According to the council, there will be over 200 North Yorkshire Highways staff involved.

Putting things into numbers, they said: 

• 55,000t salt (40,000t stored in barns)
• 5,000+ salt heaps/bins  
• In 23/24 season, some 23,563t salt used across the county, compared with 32,163 in 22/23 (and over 80,000t in 2017/18 Beast from the East year) 
• Weather stations across the county, most up to date in country
• 11 climactic domains based on geography and topography