The Met Office has urged drivers to keep one item in their car as snow and ice warnings engulf the UK. The weather agency has issued yellow and amber warnings across the majority of the UK until 10am on Wednesday, which “could lead to some disruption” with vehicles potentially becoming stranded.
It warned there could be some icy patches on some “untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths” in the yellow warning regions. In Scotland, where the Arctic conditions are expected to be most severe, there is a “good chance that some rural communities could become cut off”.
With the risk of treacherous driving conditions, the weather agency has advised drivers to keep a few essentials in their cars. This winter car kit could help drivers cope if their car becomes stranded, loses power, or they are severely delayed.
Jump leads are a particularly important part of the kit, because the agency warned that it is “far more likely” for a battery to go flat in cold weather.
“Flat or dead batteries can happen to any car regardless of age and at any time, but in cold weather such problems are far more likely to occur,” the Met Office explained.
It added that drivers should always have a set of jump start cables or jump leads in the car throughout the year, just in case.
Other essential items include food, warm clothing, and a phone charger, so drivers can stay warm and call for help if they run into trouble.
Temperatures dropped to a staggering low of -10.9C at Shap in Cumbria on Sunday night, and numerous Met Office stations were well below freezing.
On Monday morning, a huge 52cm of snow had accumulated at Tomintoul in Banffshire, as well as 35cm at Durris in Kincardineshire, and 34cm at Loch Glascarnoch.
Met Office Chief Meteorologist, Matthew Lehnert, said: “A number of severe weather warnings have been issued and these are likely to be updated through the week so do keep up to date with the forecast.”
