Warning of treacherous UK roads

Motorists are advised to use roads likely to have been gritted

Freezing rain which hit parts of the UK overnight will leave roads icy and dangerous during the Wednesday morning rush hour, the Met Office has warned.

Its severe weather warning said all of the UK except north-east Scotland may be affected, with central areas of the country facing the highest risk.

"This will be a short-lived but potentially dangerous event," it said.

Blizzards that stranded Gloucestershire drivers on Monday have ended, with snow restricted to the Shetland Islands.

DRIVING PRECAUTIONS Check forecast before travelling Use major roads more likely to have been gritted Inform someone of your journey Ensure lights and wipers in good order Carry food and any necessary medication Carry a blanket, warm clothing and sensible footwear Ensure your mobile phone is charged If stranded, stay with vehicle *Source: RAC

The Met Office's weather warning was for between 0000 GMT and 1000 GMT on Wednesday, although it said conditions could stay treacherous past this time.

The areas at highest risk from freezing rain are south-west Scotland, north-west England, north-east England, the Midlands, south-west England and central southern england.

A Met Office spokesman said temperatures were expected to fall on Wednesday night and roads could be treacherous as rain hit below zero surfaces.

"Tomorrow morning it could start off as snow and the areas most at risk are areas further north such as Cumbria, south-west Scotland - including the Lowlands and Argyll and Bute," he said.

However, temperatures are expected to warm up later on Wednesday and could even hit double figures in some parts of the country, he said.

Stranded motorists

Up to 400 cars were abandoned across Gloucestershire after 3in (8cm) of snow fell in three hours on Monday.

Police used 4x4 vehicles to reach the last stranded motorists by midnight, with accidents reported on many main roads.

The worst affected areas were Cirencester, Stroud and the south Cotswolds.

Elsewhere, motorists in Wales were warned of black ice after it was blamed for 10 accidents in Carmarthenshire.