Icy roads warning as freeze goes on

Many Britons are struggling to work after a weekend of heavy snows

Travel was not an issue for Poppy Patnell, three, from Hillington, who enjoyed the snow

A householder digs his car out of snow at Ingatestone, Essex

Published: 5:16am, 7th February 2012
Updated: 4:49am, 8th February 2012

The big freeze is showing no signs of letting up as sub-zero temperatures are set to continue up and down the country over the coming days, making conditions on the roads treacherous.

Drivers are being warned that the freezing weather will make for hazardous driving conditions, and are reminded that road temperatures can be a couple of degrees lower than air temperatures, meaning that areas which are above freezing may still pose a risk.

As temperatures plummet to as low as -10C in some areas, there is even a possibility of more snow in southern Scotland, and potentially later in northern England, as a band of rain moving in from the North West may turn to sleet or snow.

Nick Prebble, forecaster for MeteoGroup, said: "Tuesday night will be another cold night, especially further south and east, where it will be bitterly cold again. Much of England, Wales and eastern Scotland will be dominated by cold high pressure extending down from Russia, while western Scotland will be slightly less cold with an overnight minimum of about 5C or 6C. The minimum elsewhere in Scotland will be -4C, and the further south you go the colder temperatures you get with a minimum across East Anglia of -10C."

He added: "Northern Ireland is still cold but relatively mild compared with the temperatures we're seeing in England and Wales."

Commenting on road conditions over the coming days, Mr Prebble said: "Road temperatures in winter can be a couple of degrees centigrade lower than the air temperature, so there's still a risk of ice on the roads over the weekend and potentially into next week, so I wouldn't be downplaying the hazard on the roads," said Mr Prebble.

While the harsh weather has the potential of causing misery, one man's panic turned to joy when he successfully delivered his baby daughter after the mother unexpectedly went into labour outside their home in the snow.

Marek and Anna Staslow left their home off Quebec Road, Norwich, on Monday to travel about five miles to the Norwich and Norfolk University Hospital.

But as they walked to their car it soon became clear it was too late and the baby was on its way. With the help of an ambulance service call handler who talked him through the process, Mr Staslow was able to deliver his second daughter, Nina, in the snow.

He said: "It all happened so quickly that I didn't really have time to think about it. I wasn't sure what I was doing but I had no choice but to hope for the best. It took about five minutes and before I knew it I was holding my new baby. It was a bit of a panic and the man on the end of the phone kept me calm. The ambulance arrived and took us to hospital to check Nina over. We are very relieved and are just glad we have a healthy baby."