Met Office urges drivers to keep this item in the car until Wednesday | Weather | News
The Met Office has urged drivers to keep an item in their cars as snow and ice warnings apply to the UK. The weather agency has issued yellow and amber warnings for much of England until 10am on Wednesday; this could “cause some disruption” with vehicles potentially becoming stranded.
It warned that ice could be present on some “untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths” in yellow warning areas. In Scotland, where Arctic conditions are expected to be most severe, “there is a high likelihood that some rural communities will be cut off”.
Because of the risk of hazardous driving conditions, the weather agency advised drivers to keep a few essential items in their cars. This winter car kit can help drivers cope if their vehicle becomes stranded, loses power, or is severely delayed.
Jumper cables are a particularly important piece of kit because the agency warned that the chance of a battery dying is “much higher” in cold weather.
“Folding or flat batteries can occur in any car at any time, regardless of age, but such problems are much more likely to occur in cold weather,” the Met Office said.
He added that drivers should always keep a set of jumper cables or jumper cables in the car throughout the year, just in case.
Other essential items include food, warm clothing and a phone charger; so drivers can stay warm and call for help if they encounter problems.
Temperatures dropped to a shockingly low -10.9C at Shap in Cumbria on Sunday night, with many Met Office stations well below freezing.
By Monday morning, 52cm of snow had accumulated at Tomintoul in Banffshire, 35cm at Durris in Kincardineshire and 34cm at Loch Glascarnoch.
Met Office Chief Meteorologist Matthew Lehnert said: “A number of severe weather warnings have been issued and these are likely to be updated throughout the week, so keep the forecast updated.”
