SNOW UPDATE: A158 at High Toynton now passable with care

The Lincolnshire Police Force Control Room tweeted the road has been gritted and reopened by the Highways Department. It is passable with care

Residents in Lincolnshire woke up to snow this morning with Lincolnshire Highways gritters reporting they had already been out twice but roads were still hazardous.

Earlier, the road to Horncastle was closed between the A153 Bull Ring in Horncastle and the Pumps roundabout on the A16 Partney Road.

The road was also closed on Sunday due to flooding.

An Amber flood alert continues to be in place along the River Steeping, warning residents to be prepared.

There was overtopping in Church Street, Wainfleet, but river levels slowly came down.

However, the flood alert has remained in place today, as there is further potential snow or rain forecast.

Staff in the field are checking for blockages and clearing weedscreens.

Residents are asked to avoid using low lying footpaths near local watercourses and plan driving routes to avoid low lying roads near rivers, which may be flooded.

The Met Office has issued a Yellow warning more snow showers and bitterly cold winds.

The bitterly cold conditions are a result of strong easterly winds from Storm Darcy, which have left some parts of the UK at around freezing.

Although it is expected to hit the south-east of England most severely, an amber warning is in place for the East Midlands until 2pm.

Lincolnshire Police Force Control Room warned motorists to take care on roads throughout the county. They tweeted since 7am they have taken reports of 30 collisions and 18 hazards on roads that have occurred all across Lincolnshire.

A force spokesperson said: “Please take care out on the roads today and drive to the weather conditions. Since 0700hrs we have had a number of RTCs reported and incidents with vehicles stuck due to snow. We will update throughout the day

“Stay safe and take care. If you can reschedule your essential journey, please do.”

Despite the snow, all Lincolnshire #COVID19 testing sites and community testing centres have remained open.

However, a number of schools in our area have also been closed due to snow:

Friskney All Saints Primary School

Great Steeping Primary School

John Spendluffe Technology College, Alford

Toynton All Saints Primary School

Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School

Call Connect service is struggling to reach many communities. Anyone needing an update should call 0345 234 3344.

Stagecoach East Midlands Service 56 is operating normal route, but passengers are asked to expect delays due to the ongoing snowfall.

MET OFFICE FORECAST (TODAY):

Wintry showers throughout today, these giving snow accumulations to all levels. Feeling very cold in the strong northeasterly winds. Temperatures will struggle to reach above freezing. Maximum temperature 2 °C.

Tonight:

Further snow showers will move west across the region on a moderate easterly breeze, with accumulations to all levels. Feeling very cold overnight with a hard frost and icy conditions. Minimum temperature -6 °C.

Tuesday:

Wintry showers continuing but becoming fewer. Icy stretches remain likely with bitterly cold fresh easterly winds. Some winter sunshine between showers. Another hard overnight frost. Maximum temperature 2 °C.

Outlook for Wednesday to Friday:

Wintry showers initially on Wednesday, becoming light then clearing later. Drier and bright on Thursday, with a risk of snow again Friday. Bitterly cold with hard frosts and icy stretches.