Snow expected on Dartmoor

Snow is forecast on Dartmoor and other areas of high ground across Devon overnight.

With the possibility of up to 14cm of snow on Dartmoor, Devon’s gritters heading onto roads across the moor will be fitted with ploughs when they roll-out later this evening (Thursday 3 December). Other areas of high ground across the county are more likely to see only a light dusting of snow and sleet.

With road surface temperatures also set to fall below zero on Dartmoor, wet roads may well become icy tomorrow morning. The rest of Devon is not expected to see freezing road temperatures, but gritters will be out on the county’s high ground salting routes from this afternoon – including secondary salting routes around Dartmoor.

The County Council will be monitoring conditions overnight from its new control centre at Sowton in Exeter, and teams will be ready to respond with additional gritter treatments should conditions change.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highway Management, said: “The meteorological winter season is with us now and we should expect the possibility of hazardous conditions over the next few months. This first snowfall of the season may well have the potential to cause some travel disruption on the highest ground on Dartmoor, so we would urge everyone to be prepared. Across the whole of the county it’s quite a mixed picture, as areas on lower ground are unlikely to see any wintry showers and the road surface temperatures are not due to reach freezing. But as ever, at this time of year, we encourage everyone to drive according to the conditions, leave plenty of time for your journey and take extra care.”

While further snow is currently unlikely over the weekend, frosty nights may continue for a few days.

Devon County Council is issuing the following advice:

• Avoid overnight travel unless absolutely essential as roads will always be more hazardous at night with less traffic and colder temperatures;
• Never assume a road has been salted. Remember that showers or rain will wash salt off roads leaving them prone to ice, and in extreme cold even salting will not stop ice from forming;
• Allow additional time for your journey and reduce your speed;
• Drive with care and according to the conditions.

For more information and travel advice from Devon County Council visit www.devon.gov.uk/winter_travel or for updates on Twitter follow @DevonAlert