Met Office issues snow warning for Bristol
BRISTOL has woken up to the forecast heavily fall of snow.
The Met Office forecast the snow earlier this week, issuing a severe weather warning and advised people to be prepared to "change their travel plans".
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An amber warning was put in place for Bristol and the West Country for Friday, where accumulations of 10 to 15cm of snow are expected.
Eddy Carroll, Met Office chief forecaster, said: "The snow is expected to be heaviest through Friday morning, slowly weakening and clearing east during the second half of the day.
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"There is the potential for significant disruption to people's plans. We should all keep up to date with the latest weather forecasts, advice from local agencies and be prepared to change our travel plans if necessary."
UPDATE: 11AM THURSDAY: First few flakes of snow start to fall on Bristol, but the serious falls are not expected until Friday morning.
UPDATE: 2PM THURSDAY: Bristol City Council has reassured road users that their team is well prepared for tonight's road salting. The council currently has stores of 765 tonnes of salt in stock with another 200 tonnes due by the end of the week. A usual grit run uses 27 tonnes, however in extreme weather they double the spread rate to 54 tonnes. There are also 750 grit bins strategically placed around the city on minor routes and hills.
UPDATE: 2.15PM THURSDAY: A spokesman for Avon Fire and Rescue Service said: "Watch the weather forecasts and plan accordingly. If bad weather is due, do the weekly shop early so you don't find yourself needing supplies and being forced to drive when the weather comes in. If you can, work from home, many employers now allow this."
He also gave the following advice for driving in snow and ice:
"If you have to drive there are a few things you can do to reduce the risk of incident. Drive only on main roads and only use routes you know. Drive slowly and leave at least a 10 second gap between you and the vehicle in front. Take regular breaks, intense concentration can be very tiring. Avoid hills and winding roads where possible. Drive in the highest gear possible and change down earlier when slowing down, brake as gently as possible. Steer slowly and smoothly according to your speed."
UPDATE 3.30PM THURSDAY: Steve Crosthwaite, head of the Highways Agency's National Traffic Operations Centre said: "We advise drivers to check road conditions and the Met Office weather forecast before they set off and during severe weather to consider whether their journey is essential. They may want to delay their travel until conditions improve and to allow our winter fleet the chance to treat the roads. Our traffic officers are working round the clock to monitor the network, deal with any incidents and keep traffic moving."
UPDATE 4.30PM THURSDAY: Bristol residents who normally have their bins emptied on a Friday have been warned to get their bins out early tomorrow, as recycling lorries head out early to try to beat the snow. Crews will be on the road from 6am. Bulky waste collections will be suspended tomorrow to divert resources to gritting/snow clearing duties.
UPDATE 7AM FRIDAY: Bristol is waking up to the forecast heavy fall of snow. The following schools are closed: Filton Avenue Nursery School & Children's Centre, Ilminster Avenue Specialist Nursery School & Children's Centre, Dolphin Primary, Lansdown Park Secondary, Briarwood Special School, Claremont, Kingsweston Special, Knowle GDE, Notton House Special, Woodstock Special, St Werburgh's Park Nursery, Ashton Vale Primary, Fair Furlong Primary, Four Acres Primary, St Anne's Infant & Junior,
UPDATE 7.15AM FRIDAY: Schools open for exams only: St. Mary Redcliffe & Temple, Fairfield High, Colston's Girls, Bedminster Down Secondary
UPDATE 7.30AM FRIDAY: Schools closed: Compass Point South St, Cotham,Bristol Cathedral Choir, Redland Green Secondary,May Park Primary, Oasis Academy
UPDATE 7.40AM FRIDAY: All waste collections for Bristol have been abandoned because of the snow. The situation will be reassessed at 9am.
UPDATE 7.45AM FRIDAY: Schools closed: Broomhill Infants, Upper Horfield, Bannerman Road Children's Community, Summerhill Infants and Junior, St Georges CE Primary, Victoria Park Primary, Ashton Gate Primary, Glenfrome Primary, St Michaels on the Mount, Parsons St Primary
Comments
by johnbristol3
Thursday, January 17 2013, 3:46PM
“I was told earlier that South Gloucester Council office workers already been given the day off.”
by 1MVBR
Thursday, January 17 2013, 8:00AM
“@Sheppy-Ribeye:
The French Alps receives heavy snowfall each and every winter, because the area is in continental Europe and at a much higher altitude than any of the UK. So they HAVE to be equipped to cope with it, otherwise the whole area would be pretty much uninhabitable for large parts of the year.
The UK, and the South of England in particular, hardly ever sees snow remain on the ground for longer than a day or two, making significant investment in snow ploughs / tyre chains and other technologies uneconomical. It is cheaper for us to be brought to a standstill one or two days each winter than to invest money on snow-hardy equipment and infrastructure which would hardly ever be used.
I'd have thought all of the above was quite obvious. And by the way, I don't see anyone panicking - I'll certainly still make it to the pub!”
by Sheppy_Ribeye
Wednesday, January 16 2013, 10:09PM
“Bristol will have at worst case scenario, 6 hours of medium snow on Friday night.
PANIC!
The French Alps region received 22 inches of snow last Thursday night over 12 hours which then continued at a similar rate through most of Friday.
People still made their way to work/the shops/the pub/their daily routine.”
by katachua
Wednesday, January 16 2013, 9:32PM
“Four to six inches of snow? In Bristol? You're having a laugh...”
by Supersnakes
Wednesday, January 16 2013, 8:20PM
“On a personal note, let's hope the kids can get out and play. Sledging, snowball fights, making snowmen, great stuff before the health and safety brigade stiffle their laughter and enjoyment of it.”
by SCHRIS
Wednesday, January 16 2013, 7:34PM
“If Bristol gets snow it normally means it is pretty bad elsewhere. Let's hope it doesn't ruin the weekend if you need to travel.”
by Brizzle_Boy
Wednesday, January 16 2013, 7:26PM
“I wouldn't take too much notice of someone who doesn't know the difference between 'their' and 'they're'.”
by Logic1
Wednesday, January 16 2013, 7:10PM
“I wouldnt take too much notice of what the Met Office says. They couldnt tell you what the weather was like yesterday because their useless”