ALERT: Devon drivers warned as yellow weather warning issued for icy roads across the county

Drivers, pedestrians and cyclists across Devon and Dartmoor are being urged to take extra care this weekend, as severe overnight frosts and icy conditions are forecast to affect roads, pavements and cycleways.

Devon County Council has issued the warning following Met Office forecasts of ice and snow across the South West. 

Weather warnings are in place for ice and snow from 6pm on Friday (2 January) until 10am on Saturday (3 January), with further warnings for ice from Sunday afternoon through to midday on Monday.

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Road surface temperatures in parts of Devon are expected to fall as low as minus 8.4 degrees Celsius, increasing the risk of icy patches on both treated and untreated routes. 

Hard frosts are forecast throughout the weekend, and ice may form wherever wintry showers fall on cold ground.

Devon County Council said gritter crews have already been carrying out multiple treatments across the county’s primary salting network and will continue to salt priority routes through the evenings and into the early hours. 

This includes some of the busiest cycle paths in Exeter.

However, the council has warned road users not to assume that roads are safe to travel on.

“Drivers should never assume a road has been salted, and in very low temperatures, even treated roads may still develop ice,” a Devon County Council spokesperson said.

The cold conditions follow recent heavy showers in parts of the South West, meaning standing water may freeze overnight, creating a risk of black ice, particularly on rural and high-level routes.

The Met Office has said that icy stretches are likely on some untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths, with the possibility of minor travel disruption and an increased risk of slips and falls.

Forecasters have also warned that showers of rain, sleet and snow may affect parts of Devon on Friday evening and overnight into Saturday. 

While most areas are expected to see little or no snow settling, there is the potential for one or two centimetres of snow on higher ground, including parts of Dartmoor.

Highway users are being advised to plan journeys carefully and allow extra time for travel. 

Drivers are urged to reduce speed, increase stopping distances and check weather forecasts and road conditions before setting off. 

Pedestrians and cyclists are advised to use main routes where possible, as these are more likely to have been treated.

The Met Office has also issued a yellow weather warning for ice, meaning the likelihood of impacts is considered medium, with a low overall impact. 

The warning covers Devon, Cornwall, Plymouth and Somerset.

People are being reminded to stay up to date with the latest forecasts, as weather warnings may change depending on conditions.

Devon County Council said taking simple precautions could help reduce the risk of accidents and injuries during the cold spell, particularly on icy pavements, cycleways and untreated rural roads.