So my big clever plan appears to have turned brown. I thought go to the inlaws on xmas morn, no cars on the road, kids ecstatic in back with pressies, great plan. But exeter is supposed to be -14 tonight and taunton will still be - 14 tomorrow morning. I was going to to set off at 09:30.. Normally I'd be massively relaxed about this, but I dont think I've ever driven in -14 before, will it be ok?
no 😛
If there has been a partial thaw, then -14 you could be in trouble.
Sensible answer:
Probably will be OK. Yes its ****in cold at the moment, but there is little surface water, and its so cold that black ice isn't forming.
I have driven in similar temps in Yorkshire in the past few weeks and to be honest its fine. Normal precautions remain...roads with little traffic may be sketchy.
STW answer:
If you drive you will die, and probably kill an innocent badger family. Why don't you cycle (some lovely panniers available for the presents) or even better use pubic transport (freudian slip intended).
I'm driving from Durham to Aberdeen at 6AM tomorrow but I don't have to worry about kids in the car. I would think twice if I had and it's not an 'essential' journey!
Where are you, toys19? it's barely below zero now just outside Exeter. It's obviously going to get colder but hopefully not that bad...
You will be fine. Give yourself enough time and do not drive at silly speeds. Make sure you have suitable windscreen fluid to keep your screen clean.
second Troutwrestler on the screen wash. Use it neat.
Where are you, toys19? it's barely below zero now just outside Exeter. It's obviously going to get colder but hopefully not that bad...
Basspine, just off polsloe road, but I'm not worried about leaving town, just what its going to be like on the Mway. Met office says -14 tonight and -14 in taunton tomorrow at 9 am.. I think it's goping to be ok, I'll just take it mega easy and use neat screenwash...
yeah, you'll be right.
A mate is doing Portsmouth - Plymouth - 'diff. Think you'll be fine
I'm doing Carmarthen- Cardiff- Shepton Mallet. We should wave as we pass 🙂
Take due care, salt relies on the action of traffic to activate it, so low traffic levels make it worse. Salt is useless below -9 C unless it is safecote which is ment to be effective down to -14. That said the motorway should be dry so no problem.
I almost did the opposite journey today (cardiff-exmouth) & motorways were fine. Think its the side roads you'll need to be careful on. Not sure what exeter is like but in exmouth quite a few of the side streets were pretty treacharous earlier this evening.
We got back into the UK at 10 last night after a week in Sharm el Sheik and had to drive from Bristol airport to Taunton. the lowest temp I saw was -9C but the roads where fine (especially the motorway) apart from our driveway.
Just spoke t o my sister in Carmarthen. Apparently it's -12 there so go careful and have a good chrimbo!
At the beginning of Dec I drove back from deepest mid Wales from my elderly parents. It was -12. It wasn't a problem, what's the fuss?
It'll be fine. I have to drive from Exeter to Manchester tonight, don't anticipate any problems either. Have packed a bit of food and warm clothing in the car just in case though (-10 here in Devon).
(-10 here in Devon).
bloody hell! where in Devon are you!?
We've just driven from Haytor.. across Haldon and down to Exmouth and the lowest temp we encountered was -4..
i am going from Cheltenham to Barnstaple Tomorrow, i assume that the scenic route via Minehead, Exford and simonsbath might be less than sensible?
I did say it was the scenic route...
-11.8 at the inlaws just north of Tavistock last night.
Snow was in perfect condition, been boarding all afternoon.
bridgwater just hit -10, this weather is nuts,
but.... would you take colder winters for hotter summers???
And a positively tropical +5 degrees in west Devon today...
Did this fine it was -12 in exeter at 8.30 xmas morn, we say minus 14 passing taunto/bridgwater, no sliding no ice all good. Cheers for the advice.
Back in Exeter now and its been +7 in Exeter today. Thats 21 degree variation across 48 hrs!
Just driven back from skiing in the alps, didn't get above -8 until I got to the very north of france.
Stangley, I think the motorways in germany were the worst, including ours