Skip to main content

DS Risk Warning: Weather; Snow and Ice

By

 Hello all,


We don't usually comment on Yellow Warnings but as the 'S' word is mentioned, here goes:

The Met Office has issued warnings as follows:

1. Yellow warning for South West England: Snow and Ice
Between 21:00 (UTC) on Mon 6 Mar 2023 and 10:00 (UTC) on Tue 7 Mar 2023

​2. ​Yellow warning for South West England: Snow
Between 00:00 (UTC) on Wed 8 Mar 2023 and 23:59 (UTC) on Wed 8 Mar 2023

​The warnings cover the whole of our regional support area.

The first warning, repeated below, for us boils down to: There'll be some snow settling on higher ground but probably not much. It may happen on lower ground in places but we haven't a clue on how it will pan out at present! However it will clear away.

DS says; We kno​w calling a closure is one of your most difficult decisions. However, on this basis, all we can advise is that you make sure you've ticked all the boxes of our winter weather advice, done your preparations, have your plan ready to open on a rolling basis to the vulnerable and critical pupils, if needed and carefully assess the situation in the morning on awakening.

"A band of rain will edge southwards through the course of Monday evening and early Tuesday, this rain turning to snow on hills and perhaps to lower levels in places. Many areas will see little or no accumulations of snow, but 1 to 2 cm could settle in some spots, most likely over high ground and southern parts of the warning area. The rain and snow is then expected to turn light and patchy as it slowly clears southern England on Tuesday. As skies clear overnight, ice is also likely to form readily on untreated surfaces."

The second warning, repeated below looks more certain and clear. there is content on impact on a wider travel to work area to take into account. Our advice, given above is equally applicable.

"Spells of snow reaching parts of southwest England late on Tuesday evening will then spread north during the early hours of Wednesday before clearing away eastwards during Wednesday daytime. Many parts can expect accumulations of 1 to 2 cm of snow whilst over higher parts of southwest England, especially Bodmin Moor, Dartmoor and Exmoor, along with the hills and mountains of south Wales 5 to 10 cm of snow is likely for some. Untreated surfaces are also expected to become icy."

Finally please note the emphasis on the word 'slight' in their advice and, as part of your deliberations, think resilience too!

What to expect

  • There is a small chance of travel delays on roads with some stranded vehicles and passengers, along with delayed or cancelled rail and air travel
  • There is a slight chance that some rural communities could become cut off
  • There is a small chance that power cuts will occur and other services, such as mobile phone coverage, may be affected
  • A small chance of injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces
  • There is a slight chance that bus and train services may be delayed or cancelled, with some road closures and longer journey times
All the best.

Bill

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

DS Risk Warning: Health - Cornavirus/Covid 19

By
Priority Wed, 26 Feb, 20 Hello all, Looking at how things are progressing and supporting you with your many enquiries can we suggest, if you haven't done so already, a communication to your community and staff? The content would be to reassure that you are following the national and local advice. You could then copy and paste the advice from yesterday that includes the list of Category 1 and Category 2 locations and the list of Italian lock down villages. If you can you can go on to say nobody has returned from lock down areas anywhere in the world. Some have returned from areas where the advice is clear on being vigilant in case symptoms appear. If that were to be the case they will then follow the self isolate advice, etc. it would be sensible to recognise that the situation is very dynamic and could already be changing as you send your communication. You will update them on your position if anything material changes, but they can also keep up to date ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Delegated Services Risk Warning; Heat

By
  Thu 19 Jun, 25    Repeated below is the AMBER warning Heat health alert for information and action. Apart from: 1. having robust policy in place on sunscreen/shade/protective clothing and hats/ventilation/breaks and hydration, and 2. thinking carefully about those with medical conditions  we are advising sports days need to be held early morning in such conditions, or postponed. Heat health alert updated for the South West The amber heat health alert is in effect from 12PM on 19/06/2025 until 9AM on 23/06/2025 across the South West . The amber alert has a matrix score of 12. This means: Significant impacts are likely across health and social care services due to the high temperatures, including: a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions. There may also be impacts on younger age groups likely increased demand on all health and social care services internal temperatures in care settings (hospitals and care homes) may exce...
Post a Comment
Read more

DS Risk Warning: UK raises terror threat level to ‘severe’ following Vienna attack

By
  Home Secretary Priti Patel has confirmed the escalation of the UK terror threat level from "substantial" to "severe" following an attack in Vienna that left at least three dead. The change means that an attack on UK soil is now deemed "highly likely". The Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre has changed the UK terror threat level from substantial to severe. This is a precautionary measure and is not based on any specific threat. The potential is for UK based 'lone wolfs' to be emboldened to take action themselves which could take place anywhere in the UK. We are asked to continue to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the police on 999 or the anti-terrorist hotline: 0800 789 321. If your information does not relate to an imminent threat, you can also contact MI5 . What the threat levels mean: Threat levels are designed to give a broad indication of the likelihood of a terrorist attack. LOW means an attack is highly unlikely MODERATE ...
Post a Comment
Read more