Following the recent snowfall, the Met Office has given a ‘flash’ warning of widespread ice on roads and pavements in Hampshire from this evening through to mid-morning tomorrow, Thursday 7 January. The Met Office issues a flash warning when at least 80 percent certain severe weather is expected in the next few hours.  

Already many schools in Hampshire have chosen to remain closed tomorrow. Wildern School will be shut tomorrow and advises parents to check with their website or listen to local radio updates for information about Friday.

For details of other school closures see the Hampshire County Council website, school closures page.

Southampton Airport is advising that the runway is open again and planes are flying. But there are delays and cancellations to some flights and advice is for passengers to check with their airline before leaving home, and to allow extra time for the journey.

Because of the weather warning the Met Office is recommending road journeys are undertaken only when necessary and that drivers check their route with the Highways Agency before setting out.

With Hampshire one of the four counties recording the heaviest snowfalls, Hampshire County Council has stated it will be continuing to treat the main road network as a priority. Salt stocks are due to be replenished at the end of the week, and grit bins are being refilled with grit rather than salt – the Council says salt alone is less effective with the temperature below minus 5.

Since the start of this cold snap in mid December 120 contractors and 35 Council staff have been working round the clock in shifts. Priority roads have been salted more than 30 times at a cost of £1m – and the Council has enlisted the help of more than 120 farmers for snow clearing.

What are your views in Hedge End? Do you think anything further could have been done to avoid the problems on the roads yesterday and the disruption caused throughout the country?

Or is it just down to having snow rarely and being caught out?

Were you stranded driving home yesterday?

Or are you over the moon – and making snowmen and sledging – as the result of your school being closed?

And do you have your own pictures of Hedge End in the snow to share with Hedgeendpeople?