MORE snow is heading for North and East Yorkshire following last night’s falls, weathermen have warned.

The region generally escaped the heaviest of the snow which caused huge disruption in Wales and central England yesterday, but heavier falls are anticipated tomorrow afternoon and evening, which could continue into Monday, making it a difficult rush hour for motorists.

City of York Council said yesterday it was “monitoring the situation 24/7”, with crews on standby.

A spokeswoman said gritters would be treating roads from 6pm last night and 4am today, although overnight temperatures were higher than had been experienced earlier in the week.

“We have 2,600 tonnes of salt in stock,” she said. “The maximum that national reserves allow is 3,000 tonnes.”

East Riding of Yorkshire Council said its 17-strong gritter fleet had been fitted with snowploughs in the light of forecasts for as much as 10cm of snow over the weekend, with the deepest falls expected over the Wolds.

“Salt stocks remain healthy at the council’s depots and orders are in place to replenish these as they are used,” said a spokesman Nigel Leighton, director of environment and neighbourhood services at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “With snow forecast and continued sub-zero temperatures, the council’s focus will be on keeping the main highway network open to motorists, businesses and the travelling public.”

North Yorkshire County Council said its gritting fleet was geared up to deal with snowfall, which was made worse by brisk south easterly winds.

It urged motorists to plan extra time for any necessary journeys over the weekend, with drivers in upland areas encouraged to be particularly vigilant.

York Knavesmire Harriers said they would decide today whether to go ahead with tomorrow’s Brass Monkey Half Marathon, a road race involving 2,000 runners, following discussions with weather forecasters. “The safety and welfare of all runners, marshals and volunteers will influence our final decision,” a spokesman said.

Meanwhile, York-based Bayford Oil, which supplies domestic oil across the north east, is appealing to everyone, particularly those based in remote communities, to ensure elderly neighbours are safe and warm during the cold weather.

Homes suffer blackout

Thousands of households were left without power as heavy snow swept the UK and brought parts of the country slipping and sliding to a halt.

Hundreds of flights were cancelled at Heathrow airport while train companies axed rail services and roads were closed.

The arctic blasts forced nearly 2,000 schools to shut their doors, meaning some sixth-form and college students had their A-level exams postponed. The weather heaped misery on more than 10,000 households in South Wales, where residents found themselves with no power yesterday morning.

The Met Office issued a “red” severe weather warning for heavy snow in Wales, with some 25cm falling at Sennybridge, in Powys.

The forecast led some people to rush to the shops to stock up on provisions amid fears they would be snowed in.