'Be prepared' - warnings as snow and ice forecast

Romney Marsh was hit by sub-zero temperatures on Friday morning

Kent residents have been warned to take care of themselves and others as snow, ice and freezing temperatures are forecast across the weekend.

The Met Office yellow weather warning for snow and ice covers the county from midday on Saturday until midnight on Sunday.

Overnight temperatures on Friday are expected to reach lows of -4C, according to the Met Office.

Kent County Council (KCC) director of public health Dr Anjan Ghosh said: "Being prepared, keeping informed and following common sense advice will help you and your loved ones stay safe and well when temperatures fall."

Kent authorities are warning residents to take care during an expected weekend of snow and ice

Authorities across the county have warned people to be particularly careful while travelling in icy conditions.

Kent Highways' gritters salted all A and B roads, as well as main commuter routes and roads which can become dangerous, from 03:00 GMT on Friday.

They warned drivers to take care on roads in an X post, as road surface temperatures plunge.

The post read: "We are receiving reports of collisions on areas with water run off that has turned to ice."

Medway Highways has warned drivers to be aware of black ice in extreme weather conditions.

Southeastern warned rail passengers to take care at stations during low temperatures.

It posted on X: "If you are travelling, please take extra care around our stations as some surfaces may be slippery."

'Vulnerable neighbours'

KCC added that council libraries are part of a national warm spaces network where people can visit to keep warm during icy temperatures.

NHS trusts in Kent offered advice as an amber cold health alert for people over 65 or with long-term health conditions is in place.

The rare UK-wide warning has been put in place by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) from Thursday to 8 January.

East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust reminded residents to make sure they had the prescriptions they needed over the weekend.

The trust posted on social media: "Please take care, ensure you have all the medications you need, stay warm and check in with vulnerable neighbours and loved ones."

Councils across the county have opened emergency shelters for homeless people as temperatures plummet.

The Severe Weather Emergency Protocols (SWEP), which are usually activated when weather drops below freezing, provide overnight accommodation.

Anyone affected is urged to use StreetLink to find emergency shelter.

'Icy grip of arctic air'

BBC Weather's Nina Ridge said: "The new year has ushered in a stark contrast to the mild and cloudy days of December, as south-east England has been plunged into the icy grip of arctic air. This shift has brought sunny skies and a significant drop in temperatures. Friday morning saw some of the lowest temperatures this winter, with South Farnborough recording -4.3°C, East Malling -4.1°C, and Shoreham -4°C.

"Saturday morning promises to be equally chilly, with a widespread frost and the possibility of freezing fog patches. As the day progresses a developing low-pressure system to the south-west of the UK will start to make inroads into the cold air over south-east England. The result? A short-lived spell of potentially disruptive wintry weather on Saturday night.

"The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for snow and ice covering Surrey, as well as inland parts of Kent and Sussex. While details remain uncertain, especially at lower levels, this weather system is forecast to bring a brief period of snow before milder air takes hold. So any snow in the south-east is expected to be a transient feature before turning back to rain during the early hours of Sunday morning.

"By Sunday, the cold arctic air will have been replaced by wet and windy weather with temperatures of 12C. However, this milder weather will only be a brief reprieve, as the longer range forecast currently predicts the return of colder air and potential for snow later next week."