Motorists warned of icy roads as temperatures plunge

Motorists are being warned of ice patches on untreated roads as temperatures plunge following Storm Chandra.

A yellow ice alert has been issued for the south-west of England, parts of Hampshire, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The Met Office has issued the alert from 10pm on Sunday through to 9am Monday and also warned of the potential for fog patches.

The latest warning comes after heavy rain, snow and storms throughout January.

“With wet surfaces following recent rain and temperatures falling close to or below freezing, icy patches will be possible on untreated surfaces for a time on Sunday night into Monday morning,” a Met Office spokesman said.

“The extent of cloud cover across parts of Wales and central southern England is more uncertain, which will influence whether temperatures fall sufficiently low enough to allow ice to form.

“A few fog patches may pose an additional hazard.”

There are 58 flood warnings currently in force in England, with the majority in Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire. There are also 118 flood alerts across the country.

In Wales there are two flood alerts in place: one in Pembrokeshire and one in Powys, while in Scotland three flood warnings are in force for Tayside and Orkney.

Earlier this week, a major incident was declared in Somerset when about 50 properties were hit by flooding caused by Storm Chandra.

On the Somerset Levels, ultra high-volume pumps continue to be used to remove flood water, and the major incident remains in place.

Somerset Council was warning that with further rain expected there could be additional homes flooded in the Moorland, Saltmoor and Currymoor areas.

The Environment Agency said the water levels in the River Tone had stabilised and the Parrett flood relief channel had been opened to help excess water drain away.

Contingency pumps at Aller Drove and Westonzoyland have also been installed.