A SECOND day of bitter winter weather has heralded the arrival of “spring” in Teesdale.
More heavy falls overnight have made driving conditions tricky and snow is beginning to drift.
Durham Police has advised motorists to take “extreme care” on their journeys and has once again advised against non-essential travel.
A police spokesperson added: “Leave extra time for your journey, keep your distance from other vehicles, and ensure your car is fully cleared of snow and ice before setting off.
“We would like to reiterate that where speed restrictions have been put in place, they must be adhered to.
“A minority of road users are continuing to drive too fast despite the adverse conditions.
“Although road conditions are slightly better than yesterday, they are still treacherous.”
Snow is drifting on the A67 near Gainford and between Winston and Barnard Castle.
Although it appears open, the A66 remains closed – the gates have been damaged so it may appear open but it’s not.
About a foot of snow has fallen in the upper dale and Ken Cook recorded 21cm at Copley yesterday (February 28).
Teesdale School and Staindrop Academy are shut again today (March 1) and hope to reopen tomorrow.
Most dale primary schools are also closed.
Snow showers are forecast to continue on bitter Easterly winds for the rest of the day with maximum temperatures of -2C for Barnard Castle and the Gaunless Valley and -3C in Middleton-in-Teesdale.
“Wind chill” temperatures will make it feel more like -8C or -9C.
A number of shops are closed in Barnard Castle town centre – including Clarendon’s Cafe and Tea Room, which announced on social media it had closed “for the first time ever” due to the weather.
However, many are still open.
Meanwhile, Teesdale & Weardale Search & Mountain Rescue Team had a busy spell yesterday helping emergency services.
The team received calls for assistance from the North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) around midday as Ambulance and paramedic crews started to struggle with weather conditions.
All three of its vehicles, namely two Land Rovers and the search control vehicle/ambulance, were deployed across County Durham and patients were picked up from Barnard Castle.
The mountain rescue team also helped Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust get some of its employees into work.
A spokesperson for the TWSMRT added: “Naturally the team’s hardy volunteers were happy to help in the difficult conditions.”
The cold weather is forecast to ease slightly this weekend before a slow thaw next week.
Keep sending in your pictures via Facebook and [email protected] – let us know how you’re coping and how this cold spell ranks with others you’ve seen.
More in next week’s paper and updates to follow.
