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Home Page > Community and living > Emergency Management & Response > Winter Weather
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Winter Weather advice

 

The British weather is unpredictable. Bad weather can strike suddenly and with the Met Office predicting this winter to be noticeably colder than last year, it is sensible to be prepared.

 

Plan your journey

 

During wintry weather conditions

  • Ask yourself - is your journey absolutely necessary?
  • Check the local and national weather forecasts.
  • Listen to local and national radio for travel information.
  • Tell someone at your destination what time you expect to arrive.
  • Make sure you are equipped with warm clothes, food, boots and a torch.  In snowy conditions, take a spade.
  • Clear your windows and mirrors before you set out and carry a screen scraper and de-icer.
  • Make sure you have enough fuel for your journey before you set out.
  • Be prepared to take more time over your journey.

 

If you get into trouble

  • Do not use a mobile phone while driving.  Stop somewhere safe or ask a passenger to make a call.
  • On a motorway, it is best to use a roadside emergency telephone because the breakdown/emergency services will be able to locate you easily.  If you have to use a mobile phone, make sure you know your location from the numbers on the marker posts on the side of the hard shoulder.
  • Abandoned vehicles can hold up rescue vehicles and snowploughs.  To ensure that the road is cleared as quickly as possible, stay with your vehicle until help arrives.
  •  If you have to leave your vehicle to get help, make sure other drivers can see you and you know where you are going.

 

Vehicle condition

  • In winter it is even more important to check your vehicle is well maintained and serviced.
  • Keep the lights, windows and mirrors clean and free from ice and snow.
  • Keep your battery fully charged.
  • Add anti-freeze to the radiator and winter additive to the windscreen washer bottles.
  • Make sure wipers and lights are in good working order.
  • Check that the tyres have plenty of tread depth and are maintained at the correct pressure.

Adjust your driving to the conditions

  • Hail, heavy snow and rain reduce visibility.
  • Use dipped headlights and reduce your speed.

Pedestrians

  • Wear appropriate clothing.
  • Be both warm and visible.
  • Carry a torch if required.
  • Be aware of icy pavements.  If you have to walk on a road, face oncoming vehicles so that you can react to the traffic.
  • Watch out for objects buried in the snow which might trip you up or cause injury.
  • Let someone know where you are going and when you will be back.
  • ·If you carry a mobile phone, check that the battery is charged.

Keep warm, Keep well

 

The Keep Warm Keep Well campaign aims to provide useful advice on how to stay healthy in the winter months, together with information about financial and practical help that is available.

 

Free booklet

 

The Keep Warm Keep Well booklet (PDF 666K - see link below) gives information on the health benefits of keeping warm in winter, providing advice on health eating and exercise, home heating and energy efficiency, and details of the grants and benefits available. 

 

The campaign is particularly aimed at older people, and those who have a chronic illness or who are vulnerable to illness due to disability.

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