Weather / Gritter off the road as cold weather looks set to continue
A GRITTER came off the road near the north exit of Gulberwick in icy conditions this morning (Monday) – with drivers warned that further cold weather is expected this week.
Shetland Islands Council roads manager Dave Coupe said the gritter came off the road at around 7am before being recovered within half an hour.
The driver was then able to continue gritting.
“Last night was one of the coldest nights of the winter so far and council gritters encountered a widespread frost across Shetland this morning,” Coupe said.
“There are reports of some patches of black ice this morning, particularly around Lerwick.
“At Toft, where one of the council’s roads weather stations is located, the road surface temperature fell to minus six degrees Celsius at 7am this morning.
“Road salt is activated better when passing vehicles drive over the salt, but is less effective below around minus four degrees.
“A spell of cold weather is expected this week, with temperatures at near freezing for the next few days and sleet showers expected. Council gritters will continue to pre-salt and treat roads according to conditions.
“Drivers should be cautious in cold weather, particularly on untreated roads, and be aware that the temperature of the road surface can often be a few degrees colder than the air temperature.”
Information on the temperature and surface state of roads at Gulberwick, Sandness, Toft and Unst can be found on the council website.
The latest weather updates can be found here.
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