Forest Moor School in Harrogate and Wavell Community Primary School in Catterick, both in North Yorkshire, revealed they wouldn’t be open due to the cold weather.
Dacre Braithwaite Church of England Primary School Academy, Hookstone Chase Primary School, Starbeck Primary Academy and The Forest School, Knaresborough, all in the Harrogate area, also announced they wouldn’t be open on Friday.
The warning from the Met Office highlights the risk of icy patches on untreated roads, pavements, and cycle paths, making travel potentially dangerous for students, staff, and parents.
With wintry showers and freezing fog patches contributing to treacherous conditions, school officials decided early this morning that closure was the safest course of action.
The Met Office warning remains in effect until 10am on Friday, with freezing temperatures leading to widespread frost and icy surfaces.
Snow accumulations of 1-3 cm have been reported in some areas, particularly on higher ground above 150 meters, compounding the risk for those commuting.
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Parents are advised to stay updated through official channels regarding the status of schools and to take extra precautions if travel is unavoidable.
Both schools are expected to reopen next week, weather permitting.
What should I expect with the weather warning?
- Probably some icy patches on some untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths
- Some injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces
What should I do?
- Keep yourself and your family safe when it is icy. Plan to leave the house at least five minutes earlier than normal. Not needing to rush, reduces your risk of accidents, slips, and falls.
- If you need to make a journey on foot, try to use pavements along main roads which are likely to be less slippery. Similarly, if cycling, try and stick to main roads which are more likely to have been treated.
- Give yourself the best chance of avoiding delays by checking road conditions if driving, or bus and train timetables, and amending your travel plans if necessary.
- Be prepared for weather warnings to change: when a weather warning is issued, the Met Office recommends staying up to date with the weather forecast in your area.
Weather forecast
Today: Isolated freezing fog patches will slowly clear, then likely to return later. Most places will stay dry with patchy cloud and sunny spells, although there is a chance of isolated coastal wintry showers. It will be another cold day everywhere. Maximum temperature 4 °C.
Tonight: Freezing fog is likely to become more extensive, under the largely clear skies. Widespread frost, this locally very severe where there is snow cover. Minimum temperature -5 °C.
Saturday: After another very frosty start patchy freezing fog will mostly slowly clear, perhaps lingering in places, leaving largely sunny but cold conditions. Freezing fog patches are likely to return later. Maximum temperature 3 °C.