Snow is causing driving problems in some parts of North Yorkshire this evening (Friday, 2 January).
The roads are particularly bad on parts of the North York Moors and heading towards the coast.
There are reports of traffic at a standstill on the A169 around the Hole of Horcum, and challenging driving conditions on the A171 heading towards Whitby.
York and Selby are as yet unaffected. But temperatures are set to plunge to lows of -4°C this weekend.
There is a yellow snow weather warning for the east of North Yorkshire running through till 11.59pm tomorrow night (Saturday, 3 January).
And another snow weather warning has been issued for the same area between 3am and 3pm on Monday (5 January).
North Yorkshire Council said today: “Our gritting teams are ready to plough and grit the roads where needed.
“Remember gritting doesn’t guarantee an ice or snow-free surface. Enough traffic needs to drive over a gritted road to grind the salt in and activate it. Only then will the melting process begin. Any fresh snow will land on a gritted surface.”
Meanwhile, the cold health alert has been updated for Yorkshire. It’s in effect from 8pm tonight (Friday) until 10am on Friday, 9 January.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting warned the cold weather was likely to put hospitals under pressure as he urged people to only attend A&E for emergencies.
“In spite of all of the challenges the NHS faces this winter, the Herculean efforts of NHS staff and our investment and modernisation mean that hospital bed occupancy is lower than this time last year and ambulance handover performance is improving,” he said.
“But we still face intense pressures, and with this bitingly cold snap adding additional challenges, it is more vital than ever those eligible get their flu jab and people only attend A&E in an emergency.
“Let’s all join NHS staff in doing everything we can to protect ourselves and our families through a difficult winter so NHS services are free for those who really need them.”
