Cornwall's amber alert for cold weather extended with more snow possible
The Met Office says there is a 90% chance of freezing conditions across the south-west until Friday (12th February)
Last updated 10th Feb 2021
An amber alert for cold weather in Cornwall has been extended until the end of the working week.
The Met Office says there is a 90% chance of freezing conditions until Friday.
Storm Darcy has already sparked snow in the Duchy, with places from St Just to Camborne getting a dusting on Tuesday (9th February).
Forecasters warn there could be more flurries and sleet to come on Thursday too.
The Met Office has now issued an 11-hour snow and ice warning for most of Cornwall.
What does the Met Office alert say?
"There is a 95% probability of severe cold weather/icy conditions/heavy snow between 0900 on Monday 08 Feb and 1200 on Friday 12 Feb in parts of England.
"This weather could increase the health risks to vulnerable patients and disrupt the delivery of services.
"Please refer to the national Cold Weather Plan and your Trust's emergency plan for appropriate preventive action.
"This alert supersedes the alert issued at 09:02 on Friday 5th Feb.
"The cold spell is expected to continue this week, with outbreaks of snow across eastern and central England.
"Snow will be heaviest and most frequent across eastern parts on Monday and Tuesday, with accumulations continuing to build, but should gradually ease through Wednesday.
"Otherwise, it will be mostly dry and bright, but very cold with hard overnight frosts, particularly on Wednesday night.
"Later on Thursday and into Friday bands of rain, sleet and snow will probably begin to make their way into western and south-western England bringing an increased possibility of disruptive snowfall here.
"Cold air will remain in central and eastern areas with frost and ice likely".
Met Office Cold Weather Alert
You can read more here or check the full forecast for Cornwall and the south-west here.
What action should I take?
Cormac has issued a warning to drivers, urging them not to make non-essential journeys and to be prepared.
The gritters were out through the night on Tuesday, including to areas around Cornwall's vaccination centres.
"We've all experienced over the last few years occasional events where it's been pretty icy and there's a fair bit of snow out there.
"If you need to go out - and I would recommend that you don't or that you certainly consider your journeys whether they're essential or not - if you do need to go out just make sure you're prepared.
"Make sure if you need to that you've got food with you, that you've got water with you, that you've got warm clothing, that your phone is fully charged in case of emergencies.
"And above all, just drive according to the conditions and take extreme care".
Steve Bayley, Cormac