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Big freeze to continue for a week - PICTURE SLIDESHOW
ARCTIC conditions have gripped the Whitby area and with the big chill predicted to last at least another seven days, temperatures are not expected to rise above freezing.
The Met Office has said the weather will remain "bitterly cold" all week with severe frosts overnight.
Light snow is forecast for Whitby today with heavy snow tomorrow and light snow showers expected on Thursday and Friday. Since the snow began to fall again on New Year's Eve, those without 4x4s have found themselves snowed in for at least a couple of days.
But despite the weather, schools across the Whitby area re-opened yesterday after the Christmas break and a spokesman for North Yorkshire County Council said all were open to pupils.
And although the hazardous road conditions have caused misery for motorists, North Yorkshire Police said there has been just one accident in the Whitby area at Goathland.
The driver of a Suzuki Vitara was involved in a collision with another vehicle just north of Goathland Station on Saturday just after 1pm.
An ambulance was called but the driver suffered only minor injuries.
Across the area, many drivers were forced to abandon their vehicles including up to 30 cars left at Saltergate on Sunday as the snow continued to fall.
Many people have critised North Yorkshire County Council's gritting procedures around town and the outlying villages with cars skidding on the roads and people falling on the icy pavements.
In response a Facebook group has been set up called Whitby Gritters Snow Joke! which already has more than 100 members. One user posted asking what they pay their taxes for.
A spokesman for North Yorkshire County Council said footpaths aren't gritted as a matter of routine as it concentrates on keeping the main roads open.
"The gritting of highways is carried out according to a system of priorities, with the main objective being to keep the most important routes open to traffic.
"Roads of secondary importance, including most residential streets, are treated if and when resources become available.
"As a result of the current severe weather conditions, all available resources are being concentrated on the task of maintaining the primary routes in a safe condition for motorists."
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Weather for Whitby
Sunday 05 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 1 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 2 C to 5 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: North west
