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Extreme caution advised amid flash freeze warning

Aberdeen City Council is warning motorists and pedestrians to exercise extreme caution this afternoon and evening as a flash freeze is expected.

The rain and sleet which has fallen this afternoon has washed much of the salt off those areas which had already been treated by the city’s winter maintenance teams. The Met Office forecasts that the showers will continue until 4pm or 5pm, and that the road surface temperature will drop very rapidly to below freezing by 4pm. This will result in a flash freeze across the city and beyond.

This means that most roads and pavements, including main streets, are likely to be icy and treacherous. Pedestrians and motorists should be extremely careful. Rush hour, when the roads are particularly busy, is expected to be particularly problematic.

The air temperature is likely to remain above 0C, but road temperatures will be considerably lower. Motorists are warned not to be fooled by the temperature sensors in their vehicles, which give the air temperature, not the road surface temperature.

A severe weather warning has been issued by the Met Office with rain, wind, ice and snow forecast.

Aberdeen City Council’s winter maintenance team continues to work hard across the city.

Motorists are urged to treat gritters and snow ploughs with respect and allow them to pass. Gritting operations are delayed if these vehicles get stuck in traffic.

Motorists are also urged to treat every junction like a box junction to ensure that traffic can move as freely and smoothly as possible.

Aberdeen City Council would like to remind residents that the grit bins positioned on city streets can be used by members of the public. If the grit bin needs to be topped up, please call 08456 080919 with details of the grit bin location or call 01224 241511 and leave a message, stating the location of the box. Alternatively you can use the Report It link on the city council website at www.aberdeencity.gov.uk

Council staff will be working throughout the night and will deal with any weather-related problems on the roads. Roads problems can be reported by calling 08456 080919.

The council is keeping members of the public up to date with salting and snow clearance operations on its website at www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/gritting

The Scottish Government has created a website to help people prepare for the winter weather. Ready Scotland (www.ReadyScotland.org) contains practical advice and the simple steps people can take to protect themselves, their families, their communities and their businesses from the worst effects of all kinds of bad weather.

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