Met Office issues yellow weather warning for snow and ice in Cumbria

Cumbria County Council are warning vulnerable people to keep warm and well as the Met Office issues an alert for severe cold weather, icy conditions and snow over the coming days.

Public Health are urging people to look out for vulnerable people, while following lockdown restrictions, as prolonged periods of cold weather can be dangerous, especially for the very young, elderly or those with long term health conditions.

Cold weather can increase the risk of heart attacks, stroke, lung illnesses and other diseases. The snow and ice brings risks of slips and falls and hazardous driving conditions.

The Met Office has issued a yellow severe weather warning for possible disruption to travel with ice and snow likely in Cumbria between 5pm today (Thursday) and midnight on Friday.

The County Council’s gritting teams are working around the clock to treat priority routes and keep the county safely moving. Today marks the 13th consecutive day that gritting has taken place on the county’s roads. Indeed since 21 December 2020, the council’s gritter teams have completed more than 40 full gritting runs countywide, using around 3,000 tonnes of salt and clocking up over 18,000 treated miles.

Cllr Keith Little, Cumbria County Council Cabinet member for Highways and Transport, said: “We would urge everyone to take care and be cautious if they’re out and about, and allow extra time for their journeys during this period of severe winter weather. Given the national lockdown restrictions, we would urge people to stay local where possible and only go out if their journey is essential.”

For more information and advice, go to cumbria.gov.uk/winterready

During spells of severe cold weather, it’s important that people stay warm and well over winter.

Ways to keep warm and well include:

People who are not very mobile, are 65 or over, or have a health condition, such as heart or lung disease, should heat their home to at least 18C (65F)
People with heart or respiratory (breathing) problems should stay indoors during very cold weather
Some people may be able to claim financial and practical help with heating their home, grants available include the Winter Fuel Payment and the Cold Weather Payment
Wear several layers of clothes rather than 1 chunky layer - clothes made from cotton, wool or fleecy fibres help to maintain body heat
Check up on older neighbours and relatives, and those with heart or respiratory problems, to make sure they:
- are safe and well
- are warm enough, especially at night
- have stocks of food and medicines so they don't need to go out during very cold weather

If you are concerned about your health or somebody you care for, advice can be obtained from www.nhs.uk/staywell , NHS 111 or call your local pharmacist.

Car in Snow