IMAGE CREDIT: Hayley Dawson
8:00am
Pevensey Bay has woken to a light dusting of snow that has been falling for a few hours. Snow has settled. Freezing cold. No wind. More snow in the sky, and a little blue sky visible.
8:40am: Now heavy snowfall
Over 40 Schools have been closed across Sussex. Full list of closures here.
The Met Office, South of England, reports that “between 02:00 Tue 27th and 12:00 Tue 27th, snow showers or longer periods of snow are expected, accompanied by very low temperatures.
“This is an update to extend the warning further north into coastal Suffolk and a little further west across across southeast England. There is the likelihood of travel delays on roads, with some stranded vehicles and passengers, as well as delays or cancellations to rail and air travel. Some rural communities could become cut off. Power cuts may also occur and other services, such as mobile phones, may be affected”.
Sussex Police are advising drivers to make allowances for the conditions.
Chief Inspector Warren Franklin said: “While there have only been a few flurries of snow so far, more snow is forecast, but the temperature is already hovering at or just below freezing and you should expect the roads to be slippery in places, even where there has been gritting. Some drivers just don’t make allowances for the conditions.
“In icy conditions it will take a lot longer to bring your vehicle to a stop. Allow greater stopping distances between you and the vehicle in front – at least 10 times the normal distance – and keep your speed appropriate to the conditions. Keep your driving smooth, avoid sudden turning, braking or acceleration. Areas under trees, in shadow and on bridges tend to remain colder for longer so beware that there may still be ice patches even if the rest of the road is clear.
Reports of queuing traffic are coming in from across Sussex, on the Argus live traffic updates, “queuing traffic and hazardous driving conditions due to snow”, reported in many locations. Heavy traffic on local roads is delaying travel times. A259 Seaside, Eastbourne, for example at 8:30am “Heavy traffic. Travel time is six minutes”
As well as delays with journey times, Rother Police are reporting (8:30am) “Four emergency collisions happening now. Do you really need to drive?
Stay safe and warm today. Hazardous conditions in Pevensey Bay for both drivers and pedestrians.
