Kent braced for whiteout as Met Office issues another severe weather warning
Joggers brave the
snow in Walmer yesterday. Picture: Tony Flashman
Kent is braced for a county-wide whiteout tomorrow as the Met
Office issues another severe weather warning and ice causes several
crashes.
Blizzard conditions are expected to grip the county from Friday
afternoon, with heavy snowfall of up to four inches forecast.
Snow is expected again in parts of south east Kent today - but
forecasters are predicting even more will be on the way from
tomorrow afternoon.
Sub-zero temperatures have already caused several crashes today,
including on the A258 between Dover and Deal.
Multiple accidents - including an overturned van at the junction
with the A2 Jubilee Way - on the stretch led to motorists claiming
the road had not been gritted.
However, Kent Highways claimed gritters had been out on the road
this morning - and workers were re-gritting after the
crashes.
West Wood, between
Canterbury and Folkestone. Picture: Gary Browne
Forecasters say the white stuff is expected to begin falling
across Kent from Friday afternoon - and continue into the
weekend.
The Met Office has issued a severe weather warning for heavy
snow, with a yellow "be aware" warning covering the county
tomorrow. Snow of up to four inches is expected and blizzard
conditions are predicted.
For Saturday and Sunday, it has issued an ice alert for the
county as snow showers are expected to freeze overnight on
Friday.
A series of crashes on the A258 at St Margaret's at Cliffe began
at just after 6am today when a van overturned.
Luckily, the driver was not reported to have suffered serious
injuries.
Boats covered in snow on
Walmer seafront. Picture: Tony Flashman
Then about an hour later, there was another crash between a blue
Vauxhall and a bus.
A contraflow system was put in place to help ease traffic
congestion while the area was cleared.
But while officers were dealing with these crashes, they
discovered another car in a ditch.
A van also hit a traffic sign on another stretch of the A258 at
around 7.40am.
Kent Police urged motorists to take extra care on the
county's roads.
There is also an amber cold weather warning in place for Kent,
meaning people should only travel if essential.
The Met Office warned people to check before travelling - and
said parents should make sure their child's school is open.
Click here to
register for alerts to check if your child's school is open
with the Kent School Closures website - the free service provided
by the KM Group.
17/01/13
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