Residents warned not to use roads across Harrogate and Dales this weekend
Melting snow has left blankets of black ice on the roads
Residents in Harrogate and the Yorkshire Dales are being warned to not venture out onto the region's roads this weekend.
The snow over recent days is starting to melt, but due to temperatures dropping below freezing in areas it has lead to blankets of black ice to set on the roads.
Black ice can be difficult to manoeuvre in a car, with it being a factor in hundreds of accidents and collisions during the winter period.
Karl Battersby, Corpotate Director for Business and Environmental Services at Nort Yorkshire County Council is urging people to think twice about going out on the roads this weekend.
He said: "One of the challenges we've had is because of the lockdown and not having many vehicles on the road the gritting hasn't been as effective as it would normally be. You need to have cars driving over the grit for it to react and crush the grit which makes the ice melt.
"We're lucky at the moment that we're not anticipating a lot of snow over the weekend but the real risk here is ice.
"We're starting to see it's melting but with the freezing temperatures we'll end up with black ice.
"Even if the roads are clear and you can see the tarmac people should still be careful because you can't see black ice and the likelihood is there will be ice on the roads regardless of us being out with the gritters.
"If you think your journey is essential please you should still think twice about making it."