Snow to settle by weekend, says forecaster (From Bucks Free Press)

Snow to settle by weekend, says forecaster

10:18am Monday 8th February 2010 in News By James Nadal

Snow blanketed Bucks last month

A FEW inches of snow could settle by the coming weekend as flurries began this morning in south Buckinghamshire.

There have been reports of snow fall in Holmer Green, Hazlemere and Stokenchurch and sleet in Loudwater.

Is it snowing where you are? Leave your comments below.

Although today's conditions are not expected to prove too disruptive for motorists, worse is to follow, according to Jim Dale, a senior risk meteorologist at High Wycombe based British Weather Services.

“I don't think what we have had today will amount to much in terms of disruption and havoc, but we are now in the cold air and it can only get colder from here on in.

“The prediction of saying a fortnight of cold weather is holding true at the moment.

"Today is the transition day."

Mr Dale does not believe the snow will be as severe as it was in January but said it could still be bad enough to cause perilous road conditions later in the week.

The snow is likely to become heavier on Friday, he said.

“It will be significant. You could well be seeing a few inches by the weekend but I can't say for certain. Rest assured, this next 10 days will be of a polar nature.

“The snow that's there in significance over the weekend is probably going to hang around for some time, it's best to be prepared.”

Gritters will be out tonight but there is only enough salt left for two or three days if snow becomes heavy, gritting boss Eric Meek has told the Free Press.

No more has been delivered since the supplies were cancelled in January.

The Government's Salt Cell is in charge of rationing the supplies. It took over during the January cold snap.

However, Mr Meek, believes there is enough grit to last a fortnight if the weather is only frosty with sporadic snow.

Gritting lorries will be sent out “as and when forecasts come in” although predictions have varied making it harder to plan for, he said.

“This is the problem we have, there are different forecasts coming in all over the place,” Mr Meek said. Buckinghamshire County Council takes its weather forecasts from Meteo.

Tonight, temperatures will fall as low as minus three degrees Celsius, which could drop further to minus six by Thursday or Friday, Mr Dale added.

Traffic has been causing chaos this morning in High Wycombe with Kingsmead Road closed for pothole repairs.

There is very slow traffic due to a two car accident southbound on the M40, which is now on the hard shoulder, between junction 5 (Stokenchurch) and junction 4 (High Wycombe), with congestion to junction 7 (Thame).

Kingsmead Road is closed until tomorrow to repair potholes. The road is closed between 8am and 4pm and drivers are advised to use the London Road.