The Met Office has issued a fresh yellow weather warning for ice, targeting six specific regions across the UK as another bout of freezing conditions looms. This alert follows a brief respite from the recent severe cold that gripped the nation.
Warning Details and Affected Areas
The forecaster's alert is set to span 15 hours, coming into effect at 7pm on Monday, January 12 and remaining active until 10am on Tuesday morning. The warning covers a significant portion of northern Scotland.
The regions under the yellow ice warning are: Central, Tayside & Fife, Grampian, Highlands & Eilean Siar, and Strathclyde. The Met Office states that a mix of clear skies and light winds will cause road temperatures to plummet below freezing, leading to the formation of icy patches on untreated surfaces.
Potential Disruption and Public Advice
The public is being urged to exercise additional caution due to the risk of minor travel disruption. This latest warning arrives in the wake of last week's heavy snowfall from Storm Goretti, which caused widespread travel chaos across the UK with treacherous ice on roads and runways.
In response to the impending hazardous conditions, the Met Office has issued three core pieces of safety advice for households in the affected zones.
Three Key Safety Steps to Take
1. Plan for Extra Time: To enhance safety for you and your family, aim to leave home at least five minutes earlier than usual. This reduces the need to rush, thereby lowering the risk of accidents, slips, and falls on icy surfaces.
2. Choose Safer Routes: If you are walking or cycling, try to stick to main roads where pavements are more likely to have been treated and are less slippery compared to quieter side streets.
3. Check Before You Travel: If driving, check the latest road conditions. For those using public transport, consult bus and train timetables for any amendments or delays. Adjusting your plans accordingly gives you the best chance of avoiding hold-ups.
The Met Office emphasises that being prepared and allowing extra time are crucial for staying safe during this period of wintry weather.
