Snow is continuing to fall across the Harrogate district today, the Met Office has said it will continue into the evening.

North Yorkshire County Council has urged people to plan ahead for their journey, reminding them to take care on the roads with more snow forecast.

The Met Office has a yellow warning for snow in place for the district. It has forecast further snowfall and temperatures could feel as low as -7 degrees this evening.

I’m back with you this afternoon offering updates. If you do venture out and it’s safe to do so, please send us your road updates on social media or email using contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

5pm – Full Update

The Harrogate district is bracing for a cold night ahead as temperatures are set to drop to as low as -5º.

Snow is also forecast to continue to fall off and on throughout the night, contributing to the cold feeling.

While it may not be the coldest night of the year so far the Met Office expects that to come on Wednesday night.

• A yellow snow warning is still in place for the district until Wednesday evening.
• Roads are still looking clear around Harrogate, we have received no traffic alerts.
• North Yorkshire County Council and the Fire Service have echoed lockdown restrictions to only travel if essential and asked drivers to be careful.

3.30pm – Full Update

• RHS Harlow Carr is opening to reopen tomorrow after today’s flurry of snow. Managers will determine in the morning if it is safe.

We are hoping to open tomorrow, but due to the snow and ice we will take a view on this in the morning. If you have a ticket booked, please check our website after 9.00am, before you set out: https://t.co/QTc8CNIzHq
Please remember we're only open to local visitors for exercise pic.twitter.com/84Xoigeo9q

— RHS Harlow Carr (@RHSHarlowCarr) February 8, 2021

2.00pm – Full Update

• Dacre Braitwaite School in Summerbridge has closed due to the snow. We have received no further school closure notifications.
• The Met Office forecast is predicting more snow for the next hour with temperatures dropping to below zero this afternoon.
• A yellow snow warning is still in place for the district until Wednesday evening. In South Yorkshire an amber warning is in place.
• Roads are still looking clear around Harrogate, we have received no traffic alerts.
• North Yorkshire County Council and the Fire Service have echoed lockdown restrictions to only travel if essential and asked drivers to be careful.

1.30pm – Full Update

• Weather forecasts are predicting temperatures could feel as low as -7 degrees this evening with snow continuing to fall.
• The roads still look clear around Harrogate but local authorities have urged drivers to be careful.
• A yellow snow warning is still in place for the district. In South Yorkshire an amber warning is in place.

1.00pm – Full Update

• Light snow fall is continuing across much of the district, the forecast is expecting this to continue into the evening.
• Dacre Braitwaite School in Summerbridge has closed due to the snow. We have received no further school closure notifications.
• With temperatures expected to drop below zero this afternoon North Yorkshire County Council and the Fire Service have asked drivers to be careful on the roads.

12.30pm – Full Update

• With snow continuing to fall this afternoon the updates are back, please continue to get in touch with us on social media or via email and tell us how it is near you.
• Dacre Braitwaite School in Summerbridge has closed due to the snow.
• Temperatures have dropped to 0 degrees in the area, according to the Met Office, snow is expected to continue into the evening.
• North Yorkshire County Council and the Fire Service have asked drivers to be careful on the roads.
• The roads are still looking clear, we haven’t received any reports of traffic.

12.16pm – Primary school closes due to the snow

Dacre Braithwaite C of E Primary School is Summerbridge has closed today due to the snow.

9.00am – Full Update

• I’m moving back across to the daily news desk now but I will be keeping an eye on the snow throughout the day. Please let us know about any snow updates on your doorstep.
• A yellow warning of snow remains in place for the district. The Met Office is expecting more snow to fall during the day.
• Schools are expected to open as usual this morning, but make sure to check your school website if your child is going in to the classroom today.
• Roads continue to look clear around Harrogate. But, please get in touch and let us know how it is looking near you.
• The flood warnings in the Lower River Nidd and Ure are no longer in place on the Environment Agency website.
• North Yorkshire County Council has urged people to only travel if essential and take care on the roads today.
• RHS Harlow Carr has already confirmed, via Twitter, it will be closed today due to the snow.

08.45am – Full Update

• The Met Office has forecast more snow in the next hour or so with temperatures feeling like -7 degrees.
• The Met Office yellow warning for snow remains in place until Wednesday evening.
• Schools are expected to open as usual this morning, but make sure to check your school website if your child is going in to the classroom today.
• North Yorkshire County Council has urged people to only travel if essential and take care on the roads today.

08.43am – North Yorkshire Fire Service says be careful on the roads

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service has warned residents to allow extra time for their journey today.

With more snow forecast for this afternoon the service is asking people to take care on the roads.

There's lots of snow in parts of the county again today. If you have to travel please remember to allow extra time for your journey. #DrivetoArrive

— North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service (@NorthYorksFire) February 8, 2021

8.30am – Full Update 

• A yellow warning of snow remains in place from the Met Office, more snow is forecast to fall throughout the day.
• With no school closure notifications received yet, we are expecting local schools to remain open for vulnerable and key worker children today.
• Roads continue to look clear around Harrogate. But, please get in touch and let us know how it is looking near you.
• The Environment Agency (EA) has a two flood alerts in place nearby. The Lower River Ure near Ripon and Boroughbridge and, further South, the Lower River Nidd near Tockwith are under alerts – meaning flooding is possible.

8.15am – Full Update

• The Environment Agency (EA) has a two flood alerts in place nearby. The Lower River Ure near Ripon and Boroughbridge and, further South, the Lower River Nidd near Tockwith are under alerts – meaning flooding is possible.
• Light snow is still falling in some areas of the district.
• The forecast for heavier snow remains in place on the Met Office website. It predicts more snow will fall from 10am.
• We have not received any school closure notifications so far this morning.
• North Yorkshire County Council has urged people to only travel if essential and take care on the roads today.

8.00am – Full Update

• Light snow continues to fall in some areas of the district.
• Without any school closure notifications yet it seems they are all hopeful to open today.
• North Yorkshire County Council has urged people to only travel if essential and take care on the roads today.
• Temperatures remain low this morning at around -1 degrees.
• The forecast for heavier snow remains in place on the Met Office website. It predicts more snow will fall from 10am.

7.45am – Full Update 

• Snow is due to get heavier later this morning. The Met Office has forecast more snow for 10am.
• Roads continue to look clear around Harrogate. But, please get in touch and let us know how it is looking near you.
• The Stray Ferret has not received any school closure notifications so far this morning.
• RHS Harlow Carr has already confirmed, via Twitter, it will be closed today due to the snow.

7.30am – Full Update

• Roads are looking clear so far this morning, let us know what they are like on your doorstep.
• North Yorkshire County Council has urged people should only travel if essential and take care on the roads today.
• The Stray Ferret has not received any school closure notifications so far this morning.
• The Environment Agency (EA) has a flood alert in place for the Lower River Ure near Ripon and Boroughbridge – meaning flooding is possible.
• The Met Office has a yellow warning in place for snow, with more expected to fall around 10am this morning.

7.13am – County Council asks people to stay safe on roads 

North Yorkshire County Council has said people should continue following lockdown rules and only travel if essential.

With the yellow warning of snow in place, the council has told people to take extra care on the roads if they choose to travel.

A @metoffice yellow #weatherwarning for #snow and #ice is in place for #NorthYorkshire until 12noon on Wednesday. #StormDarcy

Please only travel if your journey is essential and take extra care if you do travel.

Find out more ⬇️https://t.co/VHQG5RQ7Lx pic.twitter.com/YzI1z1zGO6

— North Yorkshire Council (@northyorksc) February 8, 2021

7.00am – Full Update 

• Snow is beginning to fall again this morning and temperatures remain low at around -1 degrees. Stay safe on the roads.
• RHS Harlow Carr has already confirmed, via Twitter, it will be closed today due to the snow.
• The Met Office has forecast heavier snow for around 10am in the district.

6.45am – Full Update 

• Roads are looking clear so far this morning.
• The Met Office has forecast heavier snow for around 10am in the district.
• The Environment Agency (EA) has a flood alert in place for the Lower River Ure near Ripon and Boroughbridge – meaning flooding is possible.

6.30am – Full Update 

• Roads look clear so far this morning.
• The Met Office has a yellow warning in place for snow, with more expected to fall this morning.
• Schools are expected to close as more snow falls this morning.

The Harrogate District is braced for yet more snowfall this coming week as Storm Darcy hits the UK.

According to the Met Office, the district is forecast snow showers overnight into Monday morning.

A yellow weather warning for snow remains in place for tomorrow until Wednesday.

Temperatures are also expected to drop to a low of -2 degrees celsius tonight and only reach highs of one degrees tomorrow.

Read more:

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• Knaresborough photographer hoping to change perceptions of autism

It comes as the district is set to be hit by Storm Darcy, dubbed “Beast from the East 2”, which has brought heavy rainfall, snow and icy winds.

Amid the heavy snow forecast, RHS Harlow Carr has confirmed it will be closed on Monday.

Unfortunately due to a forecast of heavy snowfall, we will be closed tomorrow, Monday 8 February. If you've paid for tickets, contact harlowcarr@rhs.org.uk to arrange a refund. When we reopen, it's for exercise for visitors who live locally, following government guidelines. pic.twitter.com/MQDPWQZryZ

— RHS Harlow Carr (@RHSHarlowCarr) February 7, 2021

It said in a tweet:

“Unfortunately due to a forecast of heavy snowfall, we will be closed tomorrow, Monday 8 February. 

“If you’ve paid for tickets, contact harlowcarr@rhs.org.uk to arrange a refund. When we reopen, it’s for exercise for visitors who live locally, following government guidelines.”

Meanwhile, the Environment Agency (EA) has a flood alert in place for the Lower River Ure near Ripon and Boroughbridge – meaning flooding is possible.

Alerts on its website said the levels in both rivers remained high due to recent rainfall, but are falling slowly.

However, the EA added that further rain and snow was forecast and it was “monitoring the situation closely”.

For full information on school closures and traffic disruption make sure you follow the Stray Ferret – we’ll have regular updates from early Monday morning if the storm affects us. 

The Environment Agency has issued a flood warning for a caravan park in Boroughbridge this evening.   The agency says it is watching levels of the River Ure carefully and warned the Roecliffe Caravan Park area is most at risk.

On its website the agency said drivers should avoid low lying roads close to river:

The flood warnings come after relentless rain.  A Met Office yellow weather warning for snow and ice continues to be in place for the Harrogate district tonight and tomorrow.

Temperatures are set to fall over the next 24 hours with heavy snow in parts of the UK as the country experiences some of the coldest weather since the “Beast from the East” in 2018.  The weather front which has been name Storm Darcy has been dubbed “The Beast from the East 2”.

It may be that the district avoids the worst of the beast which is forecast to be more severe in the south and east of England.

Temperatures though are not expected to rise above zero degrees celsius in the district for much of tomorrow with snow showers expected.

Read More: 

• Hidden Gem:  Harrogate shop that’s more than a greengrocer 
• Elderly man died in fatal Harrogate car accident

Continuing snow showers over the next 48 hours and freezing temperatures may mean traffic disruption on Monday morning.

For full information on school closures and traffic disruption make sure you follow the Stray Ferret – we’ll have regular updates from early Monday morning if the storm affects us. 

Residents across the district are bracing for another spell of wintry weather, with warnings in place for snow and ice in North Yorkshire until the middle of next week.

The Met Office has today issued new yellow weather warnings for snow and ice from first thing on Monday until Wednesday lunchtime.

It had already issued warnings of snow and ice from Saturday afternoon until Monday night, saying there may be disruption to travel and icy patches on pavements.

However, the Harrogate district looks set to escape the worst of the conditions, with amber warnings having been issued for the south-east of England and parts of Scotland. In North Yorkshire, snow showers are expected from Saturday evening until Monday afternoon, with the forecast currently showing significant breaks between them.

However, the weather is expected to remain cold for at least another week, with more snow forecast for the district from Thursday onwards.

Read more:

• Spate of falls at unlit corner of Pateley Bridge
• ‘Stop dumping waste in recycling bins’, says Pateley Bridge mayor

Meanwhile, Pateley Bridge Town Council has issued a reminder to residents about gritting and ploughing in the area after a number of queries were raised during bad weather over recent weeks.

Chairman Mike Holt said roads were gritted on a priority basis by North Yorkshire County Council, with tier one roads such as bus routes treated first, followed by tier two, including the B6165 from Ripley to Pateley Bridge. He said:

“Once these roads are clear the third tier is tackled. These are the minor roads and side streets that make up the remainder of the road network.

“Bearing in mind that the county has over 5000 miles of roads I do believe it is understandable that more often than not, the snow clears before they can get to tier three, or sometimes even the second tier.

“NYCC also employ local sub-contractors to plough and grit their local area. Unfortunately this costs extra money which NYCC does not have, so this facility is not used as often as it possibly should be.

“I am led to believe that the grit bins are each allocated two refills per season. Extra refills can be arranged but at a considerable cost and of course when the weather is poor, it is impossible to say when those top-ups might occur.”

If the snow causes disruption over the coming days, the Stray Ferret will provide live updates about road conditions, school closures and more. Keep checking our website and social media for the latest news.

It may not be the Alps but this skier is more than happy to dig out his skis and head around Harrogate in the snow.

Harrogate resident Tomas Munoz has become a familiar sight on snow days in his signature bright orange jumpsuit.

You may have seen him in videos or photos, or even in person skiing by your window as he makes his way to the Stray.

Great to meet Tomas today for @thestrayferret. He's missed his skiing holidays so when it snows in Harrogate he grabs his skis and heads out with a big smile on his face. pic.twitter.com/SBcLQ8xSwo

— Connor Creaghan (@connorcreaghan) February 2, 2021

There has been lots of snow in the Harrogate district so far this year, which means he has had plenty of opportunities to brush up his skills.

Speaking to the Stray Ferret on the Stray today, he said:

“I am a ski fanatic, I love skiing. I have been to France and Switzerland for ski trips but mostly to the United States.

“No ski trips over the last year. It’s a little bit of a let down but I get out and get my hour of exercise a day so it’s very fun.

“I am grateful every time I see snow out the window so I want to take advantage of it. For sure, I am just about as excited as the kids when it starts to snow.”

Mr Munoz, who has about 30 years of skiing experience, says kids love to see him on his skis and will often laugh and take videos.

Read more:

• How February snow day unfolded in Harrogate district
• Lockdown leads to a new lease of life for crafting teacher

The Harrogate district woke up this morning to a heavy covering of snow, causing travel disruption and school closures.

Gritters were out across the district last night and early this morning to help any drivers with essential travel.

Snow started before dawn this morning and the Met Office predicts that it will continue until 12pm.

From 2pm forecasters predict heavy rain, which should help clear away the snow.

Keep refreshing this page throughout the day for the latest on the snow disruption.

2.05pm – Meet St George’s snow dragon

A 10-year-old girl called Alice has been rather creative in the snow today.

She sculpted her own version of St George’s dragon out of the snow by Ripon Cathedral.

Great job, Alice!

Well done to 10 year old Alice for her fabulous snow creation of St George’s dragon! @engcathedrals @RiponDean @LeedsCofE @AilsaNewby pic.twitter.com/IFxoI2b6cB

— Ripon Cathedral (@riponcathedral) February 2, 2021

2pm – Household waste recycling centres reopen

North Yorkshire County Council has reopened its household waste recycling centres in the Harrogate district.

Ripon, Harrogate and West Harrogate sites are now open after closing for the snow this morning.

#Ripon, #Harrogate and West Harrogate household waste recycling centres are open.#Leyburn and #Skipton remain closed.

Find more information about household waste recycling centres here. ⬇️https://t.co/llRAH0z30s pic.twitter.com/sPxWsS8DOn

— North Yorkshire Council (@northyorksc) February 2, 2021

1.50pm – More bus services running

We have just received another update from the Harrogate Bus Company.

The 8 between Harrogate, Knaresborough and Wetherby is now running again.

https://twitter.com/harrogatebus/status/1356594194840748034

1pm – Harrogate district buses update

The Harrogate Bus Company has just tweeted an update for its routes today.

• 1A can now reach St James Retail Park
• 1C can now reach all stops
• 1D still unable to reach The Pastures Estate

It is also hoping to have an update on the 1B soon.

12pm – Harrogate district covered by two weather warnings

The Met Office currently has two yellow weather warnings in place for the Harrogate district.

The amber warning for snow has now passed on the forecaster’s map.

However, a yellow warning for rain and a yellow warning for snow and ice both remain in place.

11.30am – Otley Road at Harlow Hill ‘impassable’

North Yorkshire Police has warned that the snow has made Otley Road, Harrogate at Harlow Hill impassable for motorists.

The police have tweeted that people should avoid the road until further notice.

***SNOW DISRUPTION***

Otley Road in #Harrogate at Harlow Hill is currently impassable due to snow.

Motorists are urged to avoid the area until further notice.

Listen to local radio for the latest traffic and travel information. pic.twitter.com/8WfknkK9Iz

— North Yorkshire Police (@NYorksPolice) February 2, 2021

11.15am – More buses running in Harrogate district

The Harrogate Bus Company has said that more of its services are running again, with some serving a reduced route.

• 36 running as normal
• 7 running as normal
• 1 running between Harrogate and Knaresborough bus station only
• 21 running on the A6055 between Knaresborough and Boroughbridge, currently unable to serve villages

However the 24 to Pateley Bridge and the 8 between Harrogate, Knaresborough and Wetherby are still unable to run.

11am – Recap on how snow hit Harrogate district

Schools, roads, vaccine sites and household waste recycling centres all closed today in the Harrogate district due to the snow.

Police closed the A61 in Bishop Monkton this morning after a serious crash. Officers are currently waiting for recovery.

The vaccine centres in Harrogate and Ripon closed this morning, with jabs rescheduled for another time.

As the snow eases across the district the CCG which runs the centres hopes to continue with the vaccines scheduled for the afternoon.

North Yorkshire County Council has closed the household waste recycling centres in Harrogate, West Harrogate and Ripon.

Here is the county council’s full list of school closures:

• Rossett Acre Primary School
• Admiral Long Primary School
• All Saints, Kirkby Overblow and North Rigton Schools
• Austwick CE VA Primary School and Nursery
• Bilton Grange Primary School
• Birstwith CE Primary School
• Brooklands Special School
• Carnagill Primary School
• Coppice Valley Primary School
• Dacre Braithwaite Primary School
• Darley and Summerbridge Primary Schools
• Ermysted’s Grammar School, Skipton
• Forest Moor School
• Fountains Earth CE Primary School
• Gillamoor Primary School
• Goathland Primary School
• Goldsborough and Sicklinghall Primary Schools
• Grassington Primary School
• Green Hammerton CE Primary School
• Grewelthorpe and Fountains CE Primary Schools
• Harrogate St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School
• Hipswell C of E Primary School
• Kettlesing Felliscliffe Community Primary
• Killinghall CoE Primary School
• Kirkby Malzeard C of E School and St Nicholas C of E School West Tanfield
• Long Marston CE Primary
• Lothersdale Primary School
• Markington Primary School
• Melsonby Primary School
• Michael Syddall CE Primary School
• Middleham VA CE Primary School
• Mowbray School, Bedale
• Oatlands Junior School
• Reeth and Gunnerside Schools
• Riverside School, Tadcaster
• Sherburn High School
• Sherburn Hungate Primary School
• Skipton Parish Church Primary School
• South Craven School
• Spofforth and Follifoot Primary Schools
• St Peter’s CE Primary School, Harrogate
• Staveley CP School
• Sutton in Craven CP School
• Tadcaster Grammar School
• The Dales Special School
• The Holy Family Catholic High School, Carlton
• The Skipton Academy
• Trinity Academy Middleton Tyas
• Trinity Academy Richmond
• Upper Wharfedale School
• Western Primary School
• Willow Tree Primary School
• St Mary’s Catholic Primary School
• Ravensworth, East Cowton and Kirkby Fleetham Schools
• Castleton and Glaisdale schools
• Ripley Endowed Primary School
• Bainbridge, Askrigg and West Burton Primary Schools
• Leyburn Primary School
• Mowbray Ripon
• The Forest School
• Selby PLP

10.45am – Bishop Monkton road set to reopen

North Yorkshire Police is set to reopen the A61 in Bishop Monkton.

The force closed the road at around 8am after a serious crash. Currently officers are waiting for recovery.

It’s still unclear how many vehicles were involved or if there were any injuries.

We will now be looking to reopen the road #A61#BishopMonkton once recovery is complete. Thank you for your patience

— NorthYorksPolice RPG (@NYorksRPG) February 2, 2021

10.30am – Cedar Court in the snow

Thanks to Pam for sending in this picture of the cedar at Cedar Court Hotel in the snow this morning.

Send in your snaps of snow from across the Harrogate district to contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

10.10am – Harrogate bus 36 running again

The Harrogate Bus Company is running the 36 route again after a morning of disruption.

There had been issues because of the snow between Ripon, Harrogate and Leeds.

✅ We're now able to run #The36 between Ripon, Harrogate and Leeds. Thanks for bearing with us. pic.twitter.com/8r1tBIDows

— The Harrogate Bus Company (@harrogatebus) February 2, 2021

9.50am – Household waste recycling centres close

North Yorkshire County Council has closed its household waste recycling centres today.

Sites in Harrogate, West Harrogate and Ripon have shut their gates due to the snow.

The following household waste recycling centres are currently closed due to #snow.

•#Catterick Bridge
•#Harrogate
•West Harrogate
•#Ripon
•#Leyburn
•#Settle
•#Skipton pic.twitter.com/szFQkSQ9Wh

— North Yorkshire Council (@northyorksc) February 2, 2021

9.40am – Even more school closures

North Yorkshire County Council has released its full list of school closures after a morning of heavy snow.

• Rossett Acre Primary School
• Admiral Long Primary School
• All Saints, Kirkby Overblow and North Rigton Schools
• Austwick CE VA Primary School and Nursery
• Bilton Grange Primary School
• Birstwith CE Primary School
• Brooklands Special School
• Carnagill Primary School
• Coppice Valley Primary School
• Dacre Braithwaite Primary School
• Darley and Summerbridge Primary Schools
• Ermysted’s Grammar School, Skipton
• Forest Moor School
• Fountains Earth CE Primary School
• Gillamoor Primary School
• Goathland Primary School
• Goldsborough and Sicklinghall Primary Schools
• Grassington Primary School
• Green Hammerton CE Primary School
• Grewelthorpe and Fountains CE Primary Schools
• Harrogate St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School
• Hipswell C of E Primary School
• Kirkby Malzeard C of E School and St Nicholas C of E School West Tanfield
• Long Marston CE Primary
• Lothersdale Primary School
• Markington Primary School
• Melsonby Primary School
• Michael Syddall CE Primary School
• Middleham VA CE Primary School
• Mowbray School, Bedale
• Oatlands Junior SchoolReeth and Gunnerside Schools
• Riverside School, Tadcaster
• Sherburn High School
• Sherburn Hungate Primary School
• Skipton Parish Church Primary School
• South Craven School
• Spofforth and Follifoot Primary Schools
• St Peter’s CE Primary School, Harrogate
• Staveley CP School
• Sutton in Craven CP School
• Tadcaster Grammar School
• The Dales Special School
• The Holy Family Catholic High School, Carlton
• The Skipton Academy
• Trinity Academy Middleton Tyas
• Trinity Academy Richmond
• Upper Wharfedale School
• Western Primary School
• Willow Tree Primary School
• St Mary’s Catholic Primary School
• Ravensworth, East Cowton and Kirkby Fleetham Schools

9.30am – Pictures of Harrogate district in snow

Send in your snaps of snow from across the Harrogate district to contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

Blubberhouses in the snow. Photo: Deborah P

Keith and Annette Stainthorpe taking their morning exercise on Ripon Market Square with their 5-year-old Cockerpoo, Coco, who they say, ‘absolutely adores this snowy weather’.

Harrogate snowman with binmen collecting this morning.

The Stray in Harrogate in the snow this morning.

Bishop Monkton in the snow. Photo: Cathie Hague

Kex Gill in the snow.

Ripon Cathedral sitting pretty in the white stuff.

A great early snowman. Photo: Craig Wraight

9am – Bin and recycling collections still going ahead

Harrogate Borough Council has said its recycling and bin collections are going ahead as planned today.

The crews hope to complete all their rounds today weather permitting. Last month, the council stood down its crews due to heavy snow.

Hello. Crews are out as usual this morning. We will complete all rounds weather conditions permitting. ^Andy

— Harrogate Borough Council (@Harrogatebc) February 2, 2021

8.50am – Fountains Abbey closes due to snow

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal is closed today due to the heavy snow.

The National Trust site tweeted this morning to say the surrounding roads are dangerous in the snow and ice.

Anyone who has a ticket for today will receive a cancellation email.

8.30am – Serious crash closes Bishop Monkton road

North Yorkshire Police has closed the A61 in Bishop Monkton to deal with a serious crash.

The police have not said how many vehicles are involved or how long the road is likely to stay closed.

Road currently closed #A61 #BishopMonkton due to serious RTC . Hopefully we can update you soon how long it is likely to be closed #donttravelunlessneeded

— NorthYorksPolice RPG (@NYorksRPG) February 2, 2021

8.20am – Bus cancellations across Harrogate district

The Harrogate Bus Company has stopped some of its buses across the district this morning due to snow.

• 7 – between Harrogate, Wetherby and Leeds
• 8 – between Harrogate, Knaresborough and Wetherby
• 21 – between Knaresborough and Boroughbridge
• 24 – between Harrogate and Pateley Bridge
• 1 – between Harrogate, Starbeck and Knaresborough
• Flyer A2 – between Harrogate and Leeds Bradford Airport

8.15am – More school closures

As the snow continues to fall in the Harrogate district more schools are announcing closures. Here’s our list so far:

• St Peter’s CE Primary School, Harrogate
• Richard Taylor Primary School, Harrogate
• All Saints Primary School, Kirkby Overblow and North Rigton Schools
• Western Primary School, Harrogate
• Oatlands Infant School, Harrogate
• Ripley Primary School
• Springwell Harrogate
• St Joseph’s Harrogate
• Killinghall Primary School
• Willow Tree Primary, Harrogate
• Harrogate College

8.10am – Send in your pictures of the snow

There may be plenty of disruption this morning as a result of the weather but it does bring some opportunities for great pictures.

Send in your snaps of snow from across the Harrogate district to contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

We will share them on our social media and on this live blog throughout the day.

8am – Drive safely on roads, say police

North Yorkshire Police has warned drivers across the Harrogate district to drive safely in the snow.

The force’s traffic bureau tweeted this morning asking people to leave plenty of distance between their cars.

There is heavy snowfall across the county this morning. Please leave plenty of distance from the vehicle in front, clear your vehicle completely of snow if your travel is essential. A19 from Thirsk and York is passable but completely covered with snow at the moment.

— N Yorks Police Traffic Bureau & Road Safety Team (@NYTrafficBureau) February 2, 2021

7.30am – Snow forces Harlow Carr to close

RHS Garden Harlow Carr and Garden Centre is closed today due to the heavy snow.

Anyone who has booked tickets should send an email to harlowcarr@rhs.org.uk to request a refund.

Unfortunately due to this evenings forecast of heavy snow, RHS Garden Harlow Carr and Garden Centre will be closed tomorrow, Tuesday 2nd February.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused. If you have paid for tickets, please contact harlowcarr@rhs.org.uk to arrange a refund. pic.twitter.com/TnfHG2KTPn

— RHS Harlow Carr (@RHSHarlowCarr) February 1, 2021

7am – School closures due to snow

The heavy snow has forced headteachers to shut schools, which are open to key worker children and vulnerable learners.

Here’s the list we have so far of school closures:

• St Peter’s CE Primary School, Harrogate
• Richard Taylor Primary School, Harrogate
• All Saints Primary School, Kirkby Overblow and North Rigton Schools
• Western Primary School, Harrogate
• Oatlands Infant School, Harrogate
• Ripley Primary School – Delayed opening until 10am

6.50am – Coronavirus vaccine centres closed

The vaccination centres at the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate and Ripon racecourse are closed.

Only those with appoinments between 8am and 12.45pm will have to go another time.

Appointments for the afternoon are still due to go ahead as planned.

After one of the coldest Januarys of recent years in the Harrogate district, February is set to usher in more snow.

A Met Office weather warning for snow and ice is in force from 10pm tonight until 23.59pm tomorrow.

Snow is due to start falling in the Harrogate district at about 4am and is expected to last until afternoon, when it turns to rain.

The Met Office says the conditions are likely to lead to ‘difficult travelling conditions’.

The Stray Ferret will keep readers up to date with the latest weather and travel news tomorrow.

The covid vaccination sites in Harrogate and Ripon have already postponed morning appointments in anticipation of difficult travel conditions.

Read more:

• Snow fears close Harrogate and Ripon vaccination sites tomorrow
• Council warns against driving to Harrogate district beauty spots

Some schools have also warned parents their plans to open on time may be affected.

The temperature did not rise into double figures at all in Harrogate during January.

Judging by the two-week forecast, that may not change for the first half of February at least.

Send us your weather updates and images tomorrow to contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

Tomorrow morning’s vaccinations at the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate and Ripon racecourse have been postponed due to the snow forecast.

North Yorkshire Clinical Commissioning Group said today people with appointments scheduled between 8am and 12.45pm will be contacted and booked in at the next available time.

However, appointments due for tomorrow afternoon are still due to go ahead as planned.

Read more:

• Harrogate people don’t have to travel to York for vaccine, say health bosses
• Harrogate district on track to achieve February 15 vaccine deadline

The Ripon site is due to open this week.

Health bosses said the decision was taken in the interests of patient safety.

A statement from the CCG said:

“GP practices in the Harrogate district are currently in the process of contacting all affected patients directly and will be booking those patients in to the next available clinics.”

A yellow weather warning for snow and ice is currently in place for the district between 10pm tonight and 11.59pm tomorrow, according to the Met Office.

The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for snow and ice in the Harrogate district next week.

Weather forecasters predict the snow and ice will hit on Monday and continue until Wednesday.

There is also a yellow warning for ice in the north of the district, covering the likes of Ripon today and tomorrow.

The snow and ice warning is in place from 9pm on Monday until 11.45pm on Wednesday.

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• Ripon couple saved as tree falls in heavy snow
• Boroughbridge care home, garage and homeowners fight floods

Forecasters have said that snow, with a risk of widespread ice, is likely to push slowly northeast from late Monday.

If the snow and ice does hit on Monday evening then expect travel delays, rural communities being cut off and power cuts.

This latest weather warning for the district comes just over a week after flooding and two weeks after heavy snow.

A spokesperson for the Met Office said this morning:

“A band of rain, locally heavy in places, is likely to push slowly northeast across Wales and England late Monday.

“As this rain comes into contact with cold air in place, it is likely to readily turn to snow across parts of Wales, the Midlands, and later parts of northern England.

“1-4 cm of snow is quite likely away from coasts, with 5-10 cm possible above about 150 metres.”

Two Met Office weather warnings are in place for the Harrogate district this week as the prolonged cold spell maintains its grip.

A yellow warning for snow is effective until midnight tonight, although it seems any snowfall will be mainly confined to higher ground.

A second, potentially more disruptive yellow warning for snow is also in place from the start of Thursday until 6am on Friday.

The second warning says there could be heavy snowfall across the hills, which may bring significant disruption to travel. The Met Office adds:

“There is a small chance of travel delays on roads with some stranded vehicles and passengers, along with delayed or cancelled rail and air travel

“There is a slight chance that some rural communities could become cut off.”

Neil Armstrong, the Met Office chief meteorologist, said:

“Late on Wednesday a weather front moves north eastwards across the UK bringing rain, which turns to snow as it pushes further north and meets with colder air.”

Although the weekend weather looks calmer, temperatures are not forecast to rise above eight degrees centigrade for the next two weeks.