Snow warning issued for Devon

The Met Office has issued a Yellow Weather Warning for snow in parts of Devon, alongside much of southern England, as a weather system may push snow into the region on Wednesday, January 10.

The warning, effective from 9am until 11.59pm, predicts snow showers and a sharp drop in temperatures, potentially causing disruption.

Devon County Council has confirmed that gritters are out on the county’s main gritting routes, treating roads this afternoon and overnight.

With road surface temperatures expected to fall below -3°C in some areas, the council is urging caution for drivers.

Snow showers are forecast to move in from the south, with higher ground such as Dartmoor, Exmoor, and the Blackdown Hills likely to experience the heaviest snowfall.

Lower-lying areas may see sleet or light snow.

In preparation, the council’s gritters will cover 1,700 miles of salting routes, including 14 miles of Exeter’s busiest cycle routes. The treatments are part of an ongoing trial aimed at supporting active travel.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Cabinet Member for Highway Management at Devon County Council, said: “This evening will be colder than last night so ice could again be an issue overnight and into tomorrow morning, especially on roads which are not treated. Parts of Dartmoor are already covered with snow and slush from last night and this could cause difficult travelling conditions in sub-zero temperatures.

“There’s a degree of uncertainty on how widespread the snow showers could be, but our teams are preparing for all eventualities. Once they’ve treated our precautionary salting routes across the county, they’ll continue to monitor conditions. I would urge people to allow additional time for your journey and take extra care.”

An Amber Cold Health Alert remains in force until midday on Saturday, January 12.

The county council is advising people to:

• Never assume a road has been salted, as rain can wash salt off, leaving roads prone to ice.
• Allow extra time for your journey, reduce speed, and maintain more distance between vehicles.
• Adjust driving to suit the conditions.
• Check on elderly or vulnerable neighbours and offer help where possible.
• Maintain indoor temperatures to at least 18°C, particularly for those with long-term illnesses or who are elderly.

Residents are also encouraged to listen to local radio for updates on the weather.