The Met Office has issued another yellow weather warning for Essex after last night’s (January 8) rain and snow has the potential to turn to ice. The news comes after Brentwood, Billericay, Tilbury, Ingatestone and Chipping Ongar were among areas expected to see snow last night.
The yellow weather warning issued by the Met Office is only in place for this morning. After about 10.30am, the warning will then be removed, but motorists will need to stay vigilant.
Areas impacted by this second weather warning are Chelmsford, Southend-on-Sea, Basildon, Billericay, Brentwood, Tilbury, Harlow and Chipping Ongar. Following some rain and snow, many cold wet surfaces are likely to have frozen last night, producing icy conditions in places.
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The Met Office says: “Surfaces have been left wet and cold following Wednesday evening’s rain and snow. While some surfaces may dry out before they freeze, it is likely that many untreated surfaces may become icy and hazardous overnight into Thursday morning – this will tend to happen sooner in the west, some eastern areas perhaps marginal for freezing.
“Keep yourself and your family safe when it is icy. Plan to leave the house at least five minutes earlier than normal. Not needing to rush, reduces your risk of accidents, slips, and falls. If you need to make a journey on foot, try to use pavements along main roads which are likely to be less slippery. Similarly, if cycling, try and stick to main roads which are more likely to have been treated.
“Give yourself the best chance of avoiding delays by checking road conditions if driving, or bus and train timetables, amending your travel plans if necessary. Be prepared for weather warnings to change: when a weather warning is issued, the Met Office recommends staying up to date with the weather forecast in your area.”
The news comes as an amber cold weather alert was issued by UKHSA ahead of freezing temperatures arriving across Essex. The alert, which covers all of England, came into force on Monday (January 6), and people are encouraged to look out for vulnerable people.