The region is warned to expect snow showers over the weekend

Suffolk/Essex: Region warned to brace itself for snowfall

By Elliot Furniss Saturday, February 4, 2012
12:17 PM

PEOPLE have been advised to make practical preparations as the eastern region readies itself for the first snow of the year.

There has been a light sprinkling of the white stuff overnight and forecasters have predicted a burst of more wintry weather over the weekend.

Council chiefs and ambulance bosses have also advised people to take extra care.

Chris Bell, a forecaster for Weatherquest, said the snow would arrive tonight at about 10pm and be at its heaviest at about midnight.

Up to 10cm of snow is expected to fall in the west of Suffolk overnight.

Mr Bell said: “The snow will be getting into Ipswich by about 9pm or 10pm. The main area of snow looks like it arrives just before midnight. It will be falling most of Saturday night.

“The cold nights were last night [Thursday] and Wednesday. When you get snowfall for various reasons, the temperature usually stays at or just below freezing.”

Gary Sanderson, spokesman for the East of England Ambulance Service, said people should ensure they are stocked up on medication for long-term conditions, or minor coughs, colds and other ailments, and take all necessary steps to stay safe, warm and well. He said pedestrians and motorists should also take care when out and about because of potentially icy conditions and freezing temperatures.

The region’s gritting teams and community volunteers are busily preparing for the freezing temperatures.

Gritting teams were last night ready to take to the roads in the early hours, with 17,000 tonnes of salt in stock at depots across Suffolk.

Guy McGregor, Suffolk County Council’s portfolio-holder for roads, transport and planning, said: “Our teams use sophisticated weather systems to monitor road temperatures and take decisions just hours in advance, sending our gritters out if necessary.

“We are responsible for keeping traffic moving over 1,200 miles of roads, and that’s just for our priority major roads and busy commuter routes.

“Thanks to our improvements to set up a salt barn at Phoenix House in Ipswich – storing and despatching salt supplies to the heart of the county – we’re better placed than ever before to keep Suffolk moving in severe winter weather.”

You can help shape our coverage of the weekend’s wintry weather by sending in your pictures of snow scenes through our iWitness service.

To get involved sign up by visiting our website at www.iwitness24.co.uk.

iWitness allows you to tell us exactly what is happening in your area and you can also send us your contributions straight from your smartphone by downloading the iWitness app and share your iWitness accounts with the rest of our readers.

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9 comments

'Moonatic', it is an example of the poor standards of behaviour from young people now in the UK. Many lack respect for anyone. Often teachers are blamed, but the responsibility lies fully with the parents for poor discipline at home and for the government for not allowing a tougher line from the legal system. If the police try to do anything about it they spend hours of their time and the criminals get a 'telling off' from the Courts. Tony Blair famously said, "Tough on Crime and Tough on the Causes of Crime"; he did neither. The slogan should be 'Tough on Criminals'.

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Johnthebap

Sunday, February 5, 2012
let it snow lets slegded time

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lee chelsea mundy

Saturday, February 4, 2012
why do we have to get so worked up over a bit of snow, i'm sure other countries don't . but once again we won't be prepared for it and the whole country will grind to a halt,thank god we don't live in Russia

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clive23

Saturday, February 4, 2012
is'nt there some miseries about.

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tel

Saturday, February 4, 2012
Well Moonatic you sound a bundle of joy. A law against throwing snowballs - that would be easy to enforce !!!!

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DirtyleedsHawks

Saturday, February 4, 2012
Only 4 inches of fresh snow is not the problem, it's when it turns to ice that causes issues. 4 inches of ice is a problem! Hopefully, if we do have that much, it will melt as temperatures over the next few days don't look too bad.

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K Mcc

Saturday, February 4, 2012
Moonatic, while I partly agree that buses and cars should not be targeted from the danger point of view, I think that there are more important issues for laws to be passed on! Were you never young? A law should be passed on cat owners taking responsibility for their pets' mess on their neighbours properties. Cats running out into the path of vehicles probably cause more accidents than the odd snowball! Kids, enjoy yourselves while you can, just be sensible.

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Wendiwych

Saturday, February 4, 2012
Don't panic! It's only 4 inches! But doesn't 10cm sound so much deeper?

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G Rumpy

Saturday, February 4, 2012
A law must be passed to s top teenagers throwing snowballs at unsuspecting members of the public and passing motorists.they do this every year in bury st edmunds.if they wish to play snowballs which they don't, , them there are suitable areas for them to do that..they re not doing it as a gane.they just think its funny to hurt people .once I saw a bus driver hit in the face with one when he opened the door to let a September on outside county upper and st benedicts schools.the offending youth nearly fell over laughing then ran off with his mates.what sad little individuals. How are we supposed to keep safe when this is still happening these are..throwing objects at peoples head is clapped as assault.snowballs must fall into this category

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moonatic

Saturday, February 4, 2012

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