NORTH-EAST DRIVERS TOLD TO PREPARE FOR COLD SNAP.

(From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK))

A severe weather warning has been issued to the north-east by the Met Office as the second cold snap in the space of a few weeks takes hold.

Powdery snow swept the region yesterday morning, but the Met have warned that this is only the start.

A spokesman said yesterday: "It's really kicking off, starting tomorrow and lasting at least until Saturday. There will be an 80% chance of disruption in the north-east and there will be as much as 30 centimetres (a foot) of snow in a few upland areas." As at the end of January, Scotland and northern England will bear the brunt of the adverse conditions.

This, according to the Met Office, is because the wind is coming from the north.

The spokesman said the roads were likely to be treacherous due to a combination of snow and ice and they were working with forecasters to mitigate potential problems, and warned against all but essential travel.

He added: "Wrap up warm. Keep a flask - and possibly a spade - in your car, especially if you are driving out in the countryside, and listen out for weather reports on the radio. The roads will be clogged from drifting snow and it's impossible for gritters to get to …