Drivers are being urged to put 10 items in their cars as a freezing Arctic chill prompts more Met Office weather warnings. A new amber warning was issued by the forecaster on Sunday (January 4).
The rare warning for snow covers Aberdeen, Aviemore in the Cairngorms and Ullapool, Ross-shire. It begins at 6pm tonight and expires at 10am on Monday. It forecasts “heavy snow” and travel disruption. Separate yellow warnings for snow and ice are in place for Wales, Greater Manchester and south-west England – while much of the east coast of England is covered by a yellow warning for ice.
A yellow warning for snow and ice covers much of Scotland north of Glasgow. That one expires at midnight on Monday.
RAC experts have shared their advice on what to put in your car in case you get stuck in cold, wintry weather.
A “must have” is an ice-scraper and de-icer, as by law you have to keep your front and rear windscreens clear of snow and ice before setting off.
In addition, a large torch with spare batteries or a wind-up torch which doesn’t require battery power is “essential”, the experts advise.
An in-car phone charger to top up your phone battery is also recommended. The experts suggest drivers who find themselves out of range to find the nearest emergency phone on a motorway or to judge for themselves on quieter routes whether it is sensible to walk to the nearest house or sit tight and wait for a passing driver to stop.
Warm clothes and blankets to wrap yourself up in if you break down are recommended as “sensible” by the RAC, which suggests packing a large coat, gloves, spare jumper, hat and gloves.
The motoring organisation, which shared its kit essentials with the Met Office, said high-viz clothing is “crucial” if you need to exit your car at night.
Jump leads or jump start cables should also be included in case of a flat or dead battery. These are more likely to happen in cold weather, according to the RAC.
An empty fuel can, food and drink should also be packed as well as a shovel in case you get snowed in and warning triangles to let other road-users know in case you break down.
Signs should be positioned at the front and back of the car at least 45 metres away from the vehicle.
Lastly, it might seem a bit strange, but sunglasses should be packed too, as winter sun can affect your visibility when driving, according to the RAC.