Winter Service Update 3pm 16/12/2010
This afternoon it will be overcast with rain showers until 17.00 by which time it will start to turn to sleet and then perhaps snow on high ground, mainly Exmoor. The snow will last about an hour on hills and by 18.00-19.00 it will start to clear from the north as cold Arctic air arrives. Road surface temperatures will plunge very quickly below zero giving very widespread ice on any untreated surfaces through the night. A few snow showers possible early this evening and also from midnight, these will be mainly in the west. Dry and bright at first tomorrow but some snow showers are expected through the day, giving a further covering. It will remain bitterly cold tomorrow.

We are patrolling the pre-treated network from 16.30 today and will carry out a 20g salt once we have confirmation from our weather provider that the rain has passed. The crews will be back in the depots at 4.45 tomorrow morning to take the necessary action after assessing what the nights weather has resulted in on the network.

For the next few days it will remain cold and unsettled with a continuing risk of snow and icy roads. It will be very cold on Friday afternoon with sunny spells and snow showers, especially in the west where a covering of 1-3cm is likely. Dry overnight on Friday but a band of snow will arrive by early morning, this turning to snow showers from midday onwards. Several cms of snow will settle in most areas (5-10cm) but less at sea level. On Sunday there will only be isolated snow showers and it will become misty overnight. Further snow likely late on Monday but this may turn to sleet or rain. Further patchy snow or sleet is likely on Tuesday.

It is difficult to plan actions after tomorrow morning until times become firmer but we will be constantly monitoring the weather and taking the appropriate action.

Following discussions yesterday with the Cabinet Member for Environment we have spent the morning ensuring that as many grit/salt bins have some salt in advance of the expected bad weather to allow self help. We have not fully filled bins as we have been trying to ensure a widespread coverage of self help is available, also resources have not allowed all locations to be checked so please can I remind you that proactive reporting through Somerset Direct aids us in provision of this service.

Regards,
Geoff Dight
Network Manager
Somerset County Council

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