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Kent weather: Cold snap to continue into next week as temperatures dip to -8C

08:06, 18 January 2023

updated: 14:36, 18 January 2023

The cold snap is forecast to continue into next week following overnight lows of -8C in the county.

The Met Office said it is likely to issue further weather warnings for snow and ice on Wednesday night.

The Met Office has warned Kent to expect further weather warnings as a cold spell spills over to next week. Photo: UKNIP
The Met Office has warned Kent to expect further weather warnings as a cold spell spills over to next week. Photo: UKNIP

A yellow weather warning for ice remains in place until 10am today and commuters are being warned to expect slightly longer journeys as a result.

Speaking last night, meteorologist Tom Morgan said temperatures were likely to have gone down to -8C in Kent overnight.

He warned: "It may well take until the early part of next week for temperatures to return to normal across England and Wales."

The Met Office has a yellow weather warning in place for ice until 10am. Picture: Met Office
The Met Office has a yellow weather warning in place for ice until 10am. Picture: Met Office

Meanwhile, the RAC said there was a "huge spike" in breakdowns on Tuesday due to the icy conditions and is issuing advice to drivers to prevent any unneccesary accidents.

It comes after a busy day in Kent's roads yesterday morning, which saw multiple incidents around the county including a jackknifed lorry in Swanscombe.

Further afield, a crash involving a double-decker bus in "treacherous" freezing conditions injured dozens of people in Somerset.

Police at the scene of a jackknifed lorry in Swanscombe yesterday.
Police at the scene of a jackknifed lorry in Swanscombe yesterday.

A spokesperson for the RAC said: “Even though the weather is largely dry in most places, today is proving far busier than yesterday, which is unusual as Monday is generally the biggest day for breakdowns.

“Flat batteries are the top reason for drivers calling us out as cars with older ones finally give up the ghost in the cold.

“Ice, and in some areas snow, are the biggest risks for drivers this week – particularly on stretches of road that haven’t been treated.

“It’s vital everyone slows down and gives themselves time to plenty of time to brake and react in the event something unexpected happens.”

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