SUFFOLK: Motorists are being warned to take extra care this morning after an overnight frost left roads covered in treacherous ice.

Temperatures plummetted across the region overnight, leading to icy roads and another period of sustained snowfall.

Last night, bittery cold winds, sleet and snow hit much of Ipswich and the surrounding area, causing extra grief to many people’s late-night shopping plans.

It’s predicted that the weather may improve in the early part of next week before deteriorating again in the run-up until Christmas.

Forecasters have also revealed that the chance of a white Christmas happening in the region is still on the cards.

John Law, a forecaster at WeatherQuest, said: “It’s going to be very cold right across Suffolk over the next few days.

“We will see temperatures drop to -5C or -6C overnight leading to frosty and icy mornings.

“On Saturday, we will have to watch out for an area of snow coming across from the west which will give most of us a covering for the entire weekend.”

Earlier this week, forecasters at WeatherQuest stated that a white Christmas for Suffolk could not be ruled out based on early reports they had received.

Meanwhile, motorists are being warned by police to drive carefully at all times.

A spokesman for Suffolk Police urged drivers to take extra care especially during icy or wet conditions.

Bosses at Suffolk Council are confident that their grit supplies will be sufficient over the coming weeks.

The council has no shortages of its untreated rock salt and increased its reserved by 4,000 tonnes this year.

It has carried out 47 gritting runs since October, covering 1,232 miles each time, or 26pc of the total of all the roads in Suffolk.

A spokesman said it was expecting a further delivery within days.