Maldon district: Arctic temperatures expected (From Gazette)

Maldon district: Arctic temperatures expected

4:18pm Thursday 2nd February 2012 in Maldon

THE district is bracing itself for an arctic chill this weekend.

The Met Office has issued a warning temperatures could drop as low as minus 6C on Saturday with some forecasts predict snow in the early hours of Sunday morning.

A cold weather alert has been issued for the East of England.

Forecasters are warning services may be disrupted and the elderly and vulnerable patients are being advised to keep warm.

Daytime temperatures are expected to reach no more than 2 or 3C and it is feared the severe cold weather will last well into next week.

An Essex County Council spokesman said it was on standby and ready to react to any eventuality.

He said: “We know heavy snowfall is a possibility in the early hours of Sunday but another weather front could bring milder weather.

“We are watching the forecasts and are ready.”

The county council gets information from the Met Office and has its own transmitters at the roadside.

These also provide data on how much grit is still left on the road.

The spokesman said: “We are in contact with district, borough and parish councils and the farmers who go out with the snow ploughs. Everyone will be as ready.”

So far, the council has only used 6,000 tonnes of salt to keep the roads clear.

He added: “If we do get bad weather, we still have plenty of grit available. We are well stocked up.”