Devon is braced for a return to freezing conditions this week, and people are being warned about the risk of ice overnight and into tomorrow morning.
Our gritters will be carrying out multiple treatments on all of the county’s main precautionary gritting routes this afternoon and then again overnight from 2am. Around 14 miles of cycle routes around Exeter will also be treated at 7pm tonight.
Road surface temperatures are set to be sub-zero right across Devon, and they could drop below -7C in mid Devon this evening.
Following the recent heavy rainfall, surface water is still a problem on many roads and this could turn to ice, particularly on untreated routes. There is also the possibility of wintry showers on higher ground.
The Met Office has issued a Yellow Weather Warning for ice, mainly in south and west Devon, from midnight tonight until 9am tomorrow morning.
With freezing temperatures expected to remain across the county throughout this week, Devon’s volunteer snow wardens are being advised to be ready to treat their priority routes in their local communities.
Councillor Stuart Hughes, Cabinet Member for Highway Management, said: “The return to colder conditions this week comes straight off the back of extremely wet weather, so water on the highway could freeze, leaving icy patches on roads and pavements. Untreated routes could be particularly treacherous tomorrow morning as temperatures are due to remain below freezing into the morning peak travel time.“Our gritters will be treating over 2,000 miles of Devon’s road network this afternoon and overnight, but please be aware of the possibility of icy conditions. Allow extra time for your journey, drive according to the conditions and take extra care.”