Posted on Saturday 4th January 2025
People planning to travel in Staffordshire tonight and tomorrow are being urged to check their local forecast before and prepare accordingly with weather warnings in place for the whole county.
The Met Office has issued an amber warning for snow and ice from this evening (Saturday) through the whole of tomorrow. And today a yellow warning for flooding on Sunday has been issued for most of Staffordshire, which could cause problems on the road network.
The county council’s fleet of 38 gritters will be out across Staffordshire, working through the night and tomorrow. Anyone needing to travel should take extra care, allow additional journey time and ensure they’re prepared with blankets and shovels if necessary.
Mark Deaville, Staffordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Strategic Highways, said:
We don’t know how bad this evening’s weather will be, but an amber warning means we must be prepared and people need to check their local forecast before travelling.
With freezing temperatures, snow, ice and rain forecast, drivers must slow down and drive to the conditions. Surface flooding on our roads will present an added hazard tomorrow so we’d ask people to take extra care and not to drive through flood water.
We’re expecting roads to be icy through the week, and with our fleet of 38 gritters and more than 20,000 tonnes of salt stockpiled, we’re very well prepared.”
A cold weather alert for the West Midlands remains in place until 8 January, so people are being reminded to stay warm and well, to look out for vulnerable neighbours, and take care when outside.
Jeremy Pert, Cabinet Member for Health and Care at Staffordshire County Council, said:
During this cold spell, please wrap up warm and take extra care especially if you’re out and about. Please also remember to check in with and keep an eye on any elderly neighbours.”
Some top tips for staying warm and well during cold weather include:
- Sign up for a winter health app at Winter Pressures - Staffordshire
- Check the weather forecast and the news
- Make sure you have sufficient food and medicine in. Stay hydrated and Drink plenty of fluids with any medicine. And if concerned about your or someone else's health, contact NHS 111.
- Take simple measures to reduce draughts at home
- Heat rooms you spend most time in, to 18 ̊C if you can
- Keep bedroom windows closed
- Wear multiple layers of thinner clothing