Snow and ice warning for Essex issued by Met Office

Parts of Essex are expected to be affected by snow and ice this morning (December 2) as the Met Office issued a weather warning. Coastal areas in including towns such as Southend-on-Sea, Burnham-on-Crouch, West Mersea, Brightlingsea and Clacton-on-Sea will all be affected.

Wintry showers will lead to some icy patches and snow cover in places and may cause problems for public transport, according to the Met Office. It also warned that the conditions could lead to injuries from slipping on icy surfaces.

A statement from the Met Office said: “Some roads and railways likely to be affected with longer journey times by road, bus and train services. Probably some icy patches on some untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths. Some injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces”

Temperatures will drop as low as -2 degrees in some of these areas and will remain low throughout the day. But the weather is set to improve throughout the day as the wintry showers clear, with a chance of sunny spells in the afternoon.

A Met Office spokesperson said: “Eastern areas risk of early patchy ice and residual wintry showers, which soon clear away, then brighter with occasional cloud but also sunny spells. Cold everywhere. Maximum temperature 2 °C.”

The Met Office has warned drivers travelling today to plan any routes ahead and check for road closures. Walkers should plan to leave the house five minutes earlier than normal in order to avoid rushing and the risk of accidents, slips and falls.

References

1. ^{^} Live M25 updates as car overturns in crash with lorry leaving fuel spill on the road (www.essexlive.news)
2. ^{^} Dunton Garden Village: Concerns new garden village plan could affect local GP (www.essexlive.news)