Met Office issues yellow weather alert for Flintshire with more snow predicted

A Met Office yellow weather warning has been issued for Flintshire as wintry showers and icy patches are forecast to bring potential travel disruption.

The warning is active from 12.00pm today until 10.00am tomorrow.

The Met Office predicts wintry showers moving southwards this afternoon, with some spreading inland from the Irish Sea, particularly through the Cheshire Gap, affecting parts of North Wales and the Midlands.

Areas above 100 metres could see 2–5cm of fresh snow.

As temperatures drop below freezing overnight, icy stretches are expected on untreated surfaces, posing a hazard to pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers.

What to Expect

• Roads and railways are likely to face delays, with longer journey times for road, bus, and train travel.
• Untreated roads, pavements, and cycle paths may develop icy patches.
• There is a risk of injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces.

Flintshire Council has provided an update on its efforts to manage the weather conditions affecting the county.

The council confirmed that 13 gritters, supported by three contractors, are working to salt the county’s road network.

Since Monday, over 1,200 tonnes of salt have been spread to combat icy conditions.

Crews are also replenishing around 700 grit bins and 300 salt piles to assist local residents.

In addition, teams have responded to more than 40 fallen trees and branches brought down by the weight of heavy snow.

RoSPA advice

As the cold snap continues in Flintshire, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) has issued a stark reminder to drivers: controlling speed during these conditions is vital to saving lives.

Caitlin Taylor, Road Safety Manager at RoSPA, warned that speeding amplifies risks on the roads during winter.

“Higher speeds mean that drivers have less time to identify and react to what is happening around them,” she said.

“It takes longer for the vehicle to stop, removes the driver’s safety margin, and turns near misses into collisions.”

Caitlin explained that at 30mph, a vehicle travels about three car lengths in a second.

A brief glance away could result in missing critical dangers, such as a child stepping out from behind a parked car or brake lights up ahead.

Seasonal Challenges for Drivers

The combination of poor visibility and adverse weather makes winter driving especially hazardous.

Early mornings and evenings are particularly dangerous, with reduced light conditions and the potential for rain, fog, or icy roads.

The Department for Transport (DfT) has highlighted speeding as a significant factor in accidents, with exceeding the speed limit contributing to 21% of fatal collisions in 2023.

Driving too fast for conditions was noted in 8% of fatalities.

Caitlin urged drivers to take simple but vital precautions:

• Be prepared: Use dipped headlights and ensure windscreens are clean for maximum visibility.
• Adapt your speed: Adjust driving habits based on weather and road conditions.
• Allow more time: Plan ahead to avoid rushing, and leave safe distances between vehicles.

“Our ability to adapt to changing light reduces as we age,” added Caitlin.

“This impacts how we see colours and contrasts in low-light conditions and increases the time needed to recover from glare.”

This warning, issued at 10.2o am covers a large area of Wales, Scotland and England.