Gritters out in Leeds as council warn of -7 road temperatures during snow alert

Frequent snow showers may lead to travel disruption in places, the Met Office said.

The warning is in place until midnight tonight but temperatures on the roads are set to drop to minus seven degrees according to the forecast.

Leeds Council said gritters were out at 4pm and will again be out at 4am on Friday.

Road surfaces are due to be extremely icy due to the weather, the council said.

Leeds Council tweeted: "Brace yourselves #Leeds, it's going to be a VERY cold one tonight, with road surfaces falling as low as -7c!

"That means ice & frost, so primary routes will be gritted at 4pm & again at 4am along with cycle routes & city centre footways. #StaySafe & toasty warm if you can!"

The snow warning for the city - issued by the Met Office - reads:

- Some roads and railways likely to be affected with longer journey times by road, bus and train services. Small chance of longer travel delays in places with some stranded vehicles and passengers, along with delayed or cancelled rail and air travel.

- Some injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces

- Probably some icy patches on some untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths

- 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

How to drive safely in snow

- Slow down

Snow, ice and water on the road reduce grip and, coupled with poor visibility in bad weather, they mean it’s essential that you cut your speed.

Stopping distances can be 10 times greater in snow and ice so slowing down gives you more time to react to other traffic or hazards on the road ahead.

However, be careful that you don’t drive so slowly that you risk losing momentum. On snow-covered roads and especially on hills this could see you stuck and struggling to get moving again.

- Keep it smooth

As well as keeping your speed down you need to keep your inputs smooth. Sharp acceleration, braking or steering are more likely to cause your car to lose grip, leaving you with no control.

Where you can, try to use engine braking to slow down, that way you’re less likely to skid.

- Leave more space

With stopping distances seriously increased by slippy conditions it’s vital you leave more space between your car and the vehicle in front.

It’s also important to try and anticipate what other drivers are doing - being properly aware could save you from a crash or being stranded as others grind to a halt. It also means you're less likely to have to brake or steer suddenly.

- Use a high gear

If your car is struggling to find grip, especially when pulling away, try selecting a higher gear. This should reduce the amount of wheelspin and help you get moving.

- Stay seen

With shorter days and the prospect of rain, fog or snow making visibility worse, it's important to make sure you can see and be seen. Check all your lights work and are clear of snow or ice before setting off.

Don't wait until it's pitch black to use your headlights and don't just rely on running lights when conditions deteriorate. If it's snowing heavily, dipped beams may actually work better than full beams.