Yellow warning of ice affecting North West England

Photo: Met Office

Yellow warning of ice affecting North West England

Icy patches, with snow mainly on higher level routes, may cause tricky travel between 9:00pm on Saturday 14 December and 11:00am on Sunday 15 December.

A spell of rain and hill snow is likely to affect many areas, with skies clearing at times to allow icy surfaces, although these won't affect all places.

The snow is most likely above 200 metres elevation and probably focused in the north Pennines and into parts of Scotland; here it could affect a few lower lying areas.

Tips for cycling in icy conditions - from Cycling UK

Clear winter days are a glorious time to cycle, but its best to head out with a few precautions.

While snow may fall at around 1.5 mph, taking about an hour to reach the ground, if you slip up on some ice you'll be hitting the deck much quicker.

At this time of year, with lying water now freezing over on thousands of roads, ice is just as much a problem as the sun low in the sky. Cycling UK, the national cycling charity, has therefore prepared seven tips for cyclists, and gathered advice from motoring organisations for driving around cyclists in icy conditions.

Cycling UK advises cyclists to:

• Let out some air - grip is improved by increasing contact with the road. Letting a little air out from your tyres can make a real difference
• Slow it down - icy conditions and narrow cycle tyres at speed can be a recipe for disaster. No need to break that Strava record, give yourself more time and if in doubt about conditions, take it easy
• Keep out of the gutter - this advice stands no matter the conditions, but after rain and following a freeze, the sides of roads can be treacherous
• Chill out - if you do hit some ice or a similarly slippery surface, sudden steering movements and sharp braking can see you go from the vertical to the horizontal in record time. Relax and ride it out or, if it's an extended stretch, consider walking the distance
• Stay seen - low winter sun and the longer nights can make visibility both for you and other road users all the harder. If it's dark make sure you have the appropriate front and rear lights (a legal requirement) and if in the day, watch out for that low sun - it's a hazard for all road users
• Dress appropriately - layers are best for trapping in warm air and can help you regulate your temperature while riding. Pay particular attention to your extremities like hands, feet and head, as these are all set to suffer more in the cold. Also consider bringing a thermal top in case you need to stop for a long period of time
• Consider alternatives - you may want to think about changing your route or the time of your journey to avoid icy conditions.
• On some days, when weather conditions are extreme, you should consider whether cycling is a safe option.