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.

Heavy snow across the Harrogate district has caused chaos on the roads and for schools today.

We kept track of school closures, kept an eye on the roads and updated this story as we went along.

The snow started at around 8am this morning and did not stop for a moment until after sunset.

It seems that ice will follow the snow, after a Met Office warning over freezing temperatures from midnight until 11am tomorrow.

5.15pm – Gritters head out onto Harrogate district roads

Gritters will be out overnight and tomorrow morning trying to clear the snow and ice from the Harrogate district’s roads.

North Yorkshire County Council said its team has been out on “priority roads” today.

We've been #gritting priority roads throughout the day and will continue to do so overnight and tomorrow morning.

Please only travel if essential and take extra care if you do. Remember, gritting does not guarantee an ice or snow free surface.

More ⬇️https://t.co/6cnhGrxFu6 pic.twitter.com/0q8bKPhqoU

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

5.10pm – Harlow Carr to remain closed after snow

RHS Harlow Carr has confirmed that it will remain closed tomorrow due to the heavy snow.

Anyone who has booked tickets for Saturday has been urged to send RHS an email on harlowcarr@rhs.org.uk.

**Closed Saturday 9th January **

Unfortunately due to today’s heavy snowfall, RHS Garden Harlow Carr will be closed on Saturday 9th January.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused. If you have paid for tickets, please contact harlowcarr@rhs.org.uk for a refund. pic.twitter.com/ozwwrJ2jIK

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

5pm – Harrogate district buses start running again

The Harrogate Bus Company has now confirmed that its number 36 buses are now able to run from Leeds, to Harrogate and onto Ripon.

That covers the full route so it is back to normal but the bus company has not yet revealed the return any of its other routes just yet.

Our buses on #The36 are able to run between Harrogate and Ripon now as well as to Leeds, so we're back along the whole route.

If you're joining us on the bus this evening, track your bus on our app #TransdevGo, to make sure you know when it's coming – https://t.co/p6IyPgyQvx pic.twitter.com/P5biQVE5zS

— The Harrogate Bus Company (@harrogatebus) January 8, 2021

4.45pm – Public toilets closed across Harrogate district

Harrogate Borough Council has closed down the district’s public toilets due to the “adverse weather conditions”.

When questioned by a resident on Twitter the authority explained that it was because workers are unable to clean them.

4pm – Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal close

The heavy snow has forced Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal to close its doors tomorrow.

It may also have to close on Sunday, but it will make that decision on Saturday depending on how the weather condition progress.

*Important Notice* Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal will be closed on Saturday 9 January due to heavy snowfall. If you have booked a ticket to visit that you'd like refunded please call 0344 2491895.
We'll be making a decision on opening on Sunday 10 January tomorrow.#staylocal pic.twitter.com/u2u5kg0Wsq

— Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal, National Trust (@fountainsabbey) January 8, 2021

2.30pm – Ice to follow snow in district

The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for ice from midnight tonight until 11am tomorrow.

North Yorkshire County Council has told people to only travel if essential and urged people to take extra care on icy surfaces.

⚠️ The @metoffice have issued a yellow #weatherwarning for #ice form midnight tonight until 11am tomorrow.

Please only travel if essential and if you need to go out take extra care on icy surfaces.

Keep up to date with the forecast here ⬇️https://t.co/mYeNomwbja pic.twitter.com/0C6j8P6o3D

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

2pm – Volunteers brave the snow

Volunteers have braved the snow today to take care of vulnerable people, including a homeless man in Harrogate.

The Resurrected Bites team said its team of helpers have kept up with its deliveries of food to those that need it most.

“I just want to let you know what heroes we have. We have called all of today’s customers to see if they can wait until Monday and those that can’t have had food delivered on foot.

“One of them has also been out to get food to the homeless man and his dogs on Montpellier Hill. I couldn’t ask for a better team. I am so grateful for all of them.”

1.45pm – Waste and recycling centres close

North Yorkshire County Council has confirmed that some of its household waster recycling centres have closed.

The local authority said that the Harrogate and West Harrogate centres needed to close because of the snow.

12.30pm – Harrogate hospital praises staff in snow

Harrogate District Hospital has praised the efforts of its staff who are battling the snow to keep it running today,.

“Thank you to Matthew from Estates, James from Car Parking and the rest of the team from our Harrogate Integrated Facilities who are busy battling the elements to keep the hospital site safe.

“Well done and thank you to all colleagues for efforts to get in today. And to patients for making it in too!”

We’ve got a fair bit of snow in Harrogate today! Huge thanks to Matthew and James & the rest of the team who are busy battling the elements to keep the hospital site safe. Well done & thanks to all colleagues for your efforts to get in today. & to patients for making it in too! pic.twitter.com/Dfcj4D3fHI

— Harrogate NHS FT (@HarrogateNHSFT) January 8, 2021

11.50am – More school closures across district

• Goldsborough and Sicklinghall Primary Schools
• Scotton Lingerfield Primary School
• Darley & Summerbridge Primary Schools: closing at 12pm
• Dacre Braithwaite Primary School
• Harrogate Bilton Grange Primary School
• Harrogate Western Primary School
• Springwater School
• Birstwith and at Admiral Long Schools
• Harrogate St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School
• Oatlands Junior School
• Willow Tree Primary School
• Pannal Primary School
• Markington Primary School
• St Aidan’s CE School
• Hampsthwaite CE Primary School
• Richard Taylor CE Primary School
• North Rigton CE Primary School
• All Saints CE Primary School
• St. Peter’s CE Primary School
• Staveley Community Primary
• Rossett Acre Primary School
• Bishop Monkton CE Primary School
• St John Fisher Catholic High School

If we have missed any school closures off our list then please get in touch through email on contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

11.40am – Bus company starts gritting roads

The local bus company has started to grit roads in Harrogate to try and rescue its buses and other vehicles.

Alex Hornby, CEO of Transdev, tweeted today that “we appear to now be The Harrogate Gritting Company.”

We appear to now be The Harrogate Gritting Company to help rescue our buses and other vehicles on the roads. pic.twitter.com/UylVYml6SG

— Alex Hornby (@alexhornbybus) January 8, 2021

11.05am – Traffic ‘at a standstill’

Roads in all directions around Harrogate are at a standstill because of the heavy snowfall.

Traffic on the A61 north of Harrogate at Killinghall, and south towards Pannal, has ground to a halt. Conditions are also reported to be poor on other roads, including Otley Road and Jenny Field Drive.

North Yorkshire County Council said it was gritting all priority one and two roads in the district overnight, which includes bus routes. However, it is advising people not to travel unless absolutely necessary.

Traffic on the A61 in Killinghall

10.40am – RHS Harlow Carr closes gates

RHS Garden Harlow Carr has closed to visitors today because of the weather conditions.

With Otley Road reportedly difficult to navigate, the RHS said anyone who has booked tickets can get in touch for a refund.

10am – Harrogate Bus Company pauses buses

The Harrogate Bus Company has paused all of its buses that are currently out on the road this morning due to the snow.

It said in a tweet this morning that the buses will get running again “once the very heavy snow has cleared”.

“So we can keep everyone safe in this weather, we’re pausing our buses that are currently out on the road.

“We’ll confirm when we’re able to get back up and running again, once the very heavy snow has cleared.

“If you need any help, just send us a message here.”

10am – Council calls off waste and recycling collections

Harrogate Borough Council has called off its waste and recycling collections this morning due to the snow.

The local authority said it would do its best to catch-up in the coming days but said the safety of its crew is paramount.

As you’ve probably seen, it is now snowing quite heavily across the #Harrogate district. Waste and recycling collections have now been stood down as the safety of our crews is paramount. We will do our best to catch-up in the coming days, where we can. pic.twitter.com/NA1oMfaEUS

— Harrogate Borough Council (@Harrogatebc) January 8, 2021

9:45am – School closures

Schools across the Harrogate district are closing to all, including the children of key workers as a result of the snow.

• Rossett School, Harrogate, closed this morning and reached out to parents and carers
• St Aidan’s, Harrogate, closed this morning due to weather and said “travel arrangements are being finalised”
• Killinghall CE Primary School, closed this morning due to weather

9.30am – Trouble on the roads

The snow is causing major issues on the roads around the Harrogate district this morning.

A brief update on the roads throughout North Yorkshire. Please take care if you are out & about, drive to the conditions & check in on elderly & vulnerable neighbours pic.twitter.com/h3DkE8A5IO

— Sgt Paul Cording BEM (@OscarRomeo1268) January 8, 2021

Traffic reports on Google Maps is showing heavy congestion around Harrogate and Knaresborough.

A new travel agent has opened in Harrogate’s Montpellier Quarter.

The Travel Journal opened yesterday on the site of the former Isles of Wonder gift shop.

It has started trading at a time when quarantine rules are playing havoc with many people’s holiday plans.

However Ben Poole, the owner is buoyant about prospects.

Although some travel agents have seen bookings plummet during lockdown, as more customers turn to staycations, Mr Poole said bookings were bouncing back. He said:

“Business has been great for the past few weeks and green shoots are certainly appearing for our industry.

“The surge of high quality last minute bookings to places that remain on the government’s safe quarantine list has been a very welcome surprise as I had written off summer 2020 but I have probably done more business this summer last minute than I would have done any previous year.

“Yes there is a worry destinations could be added to the quarantine list without much prior notice but all my clients are made aware of the risks.”

This new shop is set alongside multiple other independent shops recovering from months of lockdown.

Mr Poole, who has been in the travel industry for 21 years, began his new venture at home in January and has been forced to cope with the impact of lockdown.

Read more:

• Boroughbridge travel agent says the industry has received unfair press during the pandemic. 
• Harrogate district residents were thought to go “staycation crazy” over summer. 

He hopes the pandemic will encourage more people to use travel agents after hearing stories of people unable to get refunds from some online companies.

A hairdresser from Harrogate has fulfilled her lifelong dream of owning her own hair salon after her travel plans were put on hold.

Kate Borgen was due to travel to Australia and New Zealand to experience a new life. However, as lockdown struck and her travel plans were suspended, Kate decided to pursue a new venture in her home town instead.

The hairdresser, who has more than thirteen years of experience, opened Ikonik Hair on Kings Road last weekend. After opening just a few days ago, Kate is now fully booked until the middle of August.

Read more: 

• Queue forms outside Ripon barber shop 
• What to expect when you visit the hairdressers 

Kate told The Stray Ferret:

“My family thought I was crazy when I said I would open up a business. But what I figured was that the good clientele that I have had for the last twelve years will all be waiting to get their hair done… At least I can have people walking through my door as soon as I open.”

Kate Borgen outside her new salon on Kings Road.

Despite having a good first few days, Kate is aware that some people are still worried about visiting and is doing all she can to reassure clients. She said:

“A lot of my customers who are coming in at the minute haven’t seen anyone and I am one of the first people they have seen. It’s quite an honour for me, but then I know how nervous they are as well.”

The hairdresser, who has lived in Harrogate since she was born, hopes that her business might provide opportunities to other hairdressers who have lost their jobs because of coronavirus. She has already been joined by another stylist whose salon closed down when the pandemic struck, and she aims to expand the team further in the future.

Cedar Court hotel in Harrogate has reopened to key workers as they prepare to fully re-open to guests on July 4th.

From today (June 15th), guests are asked to bypass the traditional hotel reception and check-in themselves using a screen or an app. Electronic keys are available to download via guest’s mobile phone.

A one-way system has also been introduced inside the hotel to encourage social distancing and staff are now wearing face coverings and gloves.

Speaking to the Stray Ferret, Wayne Topley, Managing Director of Cedar Court Hotels, said around £25,000 has been spent on coronavirus safety measures to “create confidence for staff, guests and suppliers.”

He said:

“There will be far more visible cleaning.  How a hotel was cleaned and maintained used to be all part of the mystery and the housekeeping efforts were pretty much hidden from view; you will now see our Housekeepers with the confidence to be able to explain to our guests the efforts and procedures that they are undertaking to make their stay safe and Covid-Clean.”

Read more: 

• Harrogate hotel group leader warns of ‘carnage’ ahead
• Operator of St George Hotel in Harrogate goes into administration

Cedar Court was one of the first hotels in Harrogate to close on March 20th. The government is yet to formally announce the reopening of the sector but hotels in the district including Cedar Court and the White Hart expect to be allowed to welcome all guests from July 4th.

Mr Topley added: “We are extremely confident in our new procedures and we now look forward to welcoming guests back again who can stay and dine with us with complete peace of mind.”