Drivers are being urged to put 11 items in their car before a 15-hour snowstorm arrives in the UK.
The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for snow and ice from 7pm on Monday evening until 10am on Tuesday morning, and said the adverse conditions could bring disruption on the roads.
Drivers are told to expect possible travel delays over the next couple of days, with road closures and longer journey times due to the weather.
Forecasters say that between five and 10cm of snow may settle at lower levels, while up to 20cm could accumulate over higher ground, with parts of Yorkshire and Derbyshire expected to be worst affected.
In preparation for the snowy weather, drivers are urged to check their route for delays and road closures before setting off and to make sure they have essentials packed in their car in the event of any disruption.
The RAC warns drivers to pack 11 key items in their car ahead of the snowstorm to ensure they’re ready in the event they get stuck in the wintry weather. According to RAC experts, these are the must-have items in your car this winter:
Ice scraper and de-icer
You’ll need a can of de-icer and an ice scraper to keep your front and rear windscreen clear of snow and ice before setting off.
Torch
Avoid relying on your smartphone and instead make sure you pack a large torch with spare batteries, or a wind-up torch that doesn’t require a battery, in case you get stuck by the side of the road in the dark.
In-car phone charger
It’s worth having an in-car phone charger to top up your battery in case you break down and need to call for help.
Warm clothes and blankets
It’s sensible to keep some warm clothes, including a coat, jumper, hat and gloves, and blankets on hand to wrap up in case of a breakdown in cold weather.
High-visibility clothing
If you need to leave your vehicle in the dark, it’s crucial that other motorists can see you – wearing high-visibility clothing could save your life.
Jump leads
Batteries are more likely to die or go flat in cold weather so it’s well worth keeping a set of jump start cables or jump leads in your car just in case.
Empty fuel can
In the event you can’t reach a petrol station and you need fuel, it’s essential to have an empty fuel can on hand.
Food and drink
It’s worth taking food and drink provisions when setting off on a journey in winter, and hot drinks in a flask are a particularly good idea.
Shovel
If you’re driving on smaller roads or there is a snowstorm or blizzard you potentially could need a shovel to dig yourself out.
Warning triangles
Warning triangles are used to warn other motorists that your vehicle has broken down and the RAC recommends you have two – one to position in front of the car and the second at the rear. These should be at least 45 metres away from your vehicle.
Sunglasses
It may sound odd to keep sunglasses in your car in winter but the winter sun can seriously affect your visibility, creating a glare which makes it difficult to see the road. So it’s worth keeping a pair of sunglasses on hand just in case.
