 Winter has arrived in Nottinghamshire
You don't need us to tell you that it's cold outside, but with the Met Office issuing a cold weather alert from this evening (Wednesday 7 December) until Monday 12 December, we want to make sure that you're staying safe and well in the colder conditions.
There's a risk of severe cold weather and icy conditions over the next few days folks, so we've put together our top advice for this wintry weather.
The Met Office has also issued a yellow weather warning for ice for the East Midlands for Thursday and Friday this week, so take care out there!
Look after your car so it can look after you...
How many times have you gone out to your car in the morning to find that you need to scrape your windscreen, but you have no scraper in the car?
Well, this is your reminder to plan ahead and dig out your scraper ahead of the frosty conditions.
While you're at it, why not check your tyre tread depth and your screen wash and make sure you have other essential items in your car, including:
- de-icer
- a torch and spare batteries
- warm clothes and a blanket
- boots or sturdy footwear
- first aid kit
- sunglasses
- road atlas or satnav
- personal medication
Winter car checks only take a few minutes but are vital to make sure that your car can look after you in tricky conditions.
Don't put off what you could do today and check out our full list of winter car checks on our website!
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Now your vehicle is all checked, let's talk driving safely
Have you ever looked at the forecast before setting off on a journey and worried about how best to handle the conditions while driving?
Well, you're not alone as it can sometimes be tricky to know how best to handle conditions like heavy rain, snow, ice, fog, flooding, high winds and storms.
That's where we come in - we've put some top tips together for driving in winter weather, so make sure you give them a read before making any journeys over the winter season.
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Caring for others during the cold weather
Some people can be more vulnerable to cold weather, so it's a good idea to look out for friends, relatives and neighbours and make sure that they have access to warm food and drinks and that they are managing to heat their homes adequately.
The Met Office also advise to avoid exposing yourself to cold or icy outdoor conditions if you are at a higher risk of cold-related illness or falls.
One of the best ways of keeping yourself well during winter is to stay warm, so why not visit our website for our tips on keeping warm in winter.
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 What's it like working in #TeamGrit
It’s that time of year where we tell you that our gritting teams will be out salting Nottinghamshire’s roads to keep you safe, and this year is no different!
We caught up with Clive Stuchbury, Seasonal Operations Foreman at Bilsthorpe Depot, to find out more about what it's like to do the job that keeps the people of Nottinghamshire safe every winter.
...but how do we know when to grit?
Have you ever wondered how we know when to go out gritting?
Well, our gritting teams receive daily forecasts which tell them the predicted road temperatures for the evening ahead. If these temperatures are forecast to be at zero degrees or below, the team will go out gritting.
Once they're out, they spread salt on the roads which mixes with any moisture present to form a saline solution. This solution has a lower freezing point than water and it is this that helps to prevent ice from forming.
So, the next time you see a gritter go past, remember that there's a scientific process behind it!
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Dreaming of a white Christmas?
Whether you're dreaming of one or not, did you know that you can sign up to receive Met Office weather alerts and warnings straight to your inbox?
Signing up is simple and means you'll be prepared should an alert or warning be issued for your area.
...and for those of you who are hoping for some of the white stuff this Christmas, you can also check your local forecast on the Met Office website!
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