People are being urged to get ready for significant disruption caused by a days-long cold snap.

Forecasters predict heavy snow will arrive across Kent overnight, bringing falls of 20cm in some parts and causing chaos on the roads and rails on Sunday.

With the wintry spell expected to last well into next week, here is how people should be preparing for the coming chill...

Be aware of the extent of potential disruption

The latest Met Office weather warning for Kent and much of the east coast of England predicts a significant spell of snow which could cause extensive disruption through Sunday and into Monday.

Heavy snow is likely to bring widespread travel disruption, and there is also the possibility of long interruptions to power supplies and other services, such as gas, water, telephone and mobile phone networks.

The amber warning is in place for much of the county from 4am tomorrow until 9am on Monday.

During this time people are being urged to take extra precautions and only travel if the journey is essential.

Look out for vulnerable people in the community

Although a spell of snow may seem non-threatening for many, a significant cold snap can pose very real dangers to older people and those with existing medical conditions.

Nationally, there are thousands of excess winter deaths per year because of a drop in temperature.

To avoid preventable illness, and even death, Kent County Council urges people to take "basic, common sense" precautions to help themselves and others stay warm and well.

Kent's deputy director for public health, Allison Duggal, said: "It is vital that during this prolonged period of severe weather, people act to keep themselves and their home warm - even if this is just by heating the bedroom and living room.

"We're also urging people to assist their local community - is there someone you can help by delivering groceries? Every year cold weather leads to extra deaths, and this year we also need to help protect those most at risk of severe symptoms from Covid, so by taking measures to stay warm and work with others can make a life-changing difference."

One of the key ways of helping someone who might otherwise be cut off by bad weather is to help out with collection of prescriptions or doing shopping for essentials. But people are urged to remember the importance of social distancing.

Expect difficult conditions on the roads

Motorists are being warned to only travel if their journey is essential, with extra care needed for what could be challenging conditions on the county's roads.

Council gritting crews will be fitting their vehicles with snow ploughs from 11pm tonight as they expect rain to turn to snow overnight.

People who live on primary salting routes are being asked to ensure they leave enough room when parking so that vehicles with ploughs attached can still make it through.

Kent Highways says its snow clearing operation is deployed when heavy and continuous snowfall settles, concentrating initially on primary routes such as access to hospitals, fire stations and other important facilities.

Crews use snow ploughs fitted to gritters to plough snow from the roads. Snow has to be ploughed, because grit will not melt it.

There are also more than 100 farmers on standby to assist with snow clearance should extra resources be needed to keep key route clear.

Avoid rail travel wherever possible

Rail operator Southeastern is urging people to ditch plans for train journeys during the worst of the wintry weather - with many services being axed during the snowy spell.

The following routes will definitely be closed tomorrow, and could also be shut down on Monday:

• Dover Priory to Ramsgate via Deal
• Dover Priory to Faversham via Canterbury East
• Medway Valley Line
• Sheerness Line
• Bromley North Line
• Hastings to Tonbridge
• No trains calling at Sandling or Westenhanger

With no alternative transport being provided on those routes, passengers with dated tickets for travel tomorrow or on Monday will be able to use them on another day later this week at no additional cost.

Those planning to make an essential journey by train on routes remaining open should allow extra time for their journey and prepare in advance for likely disruption to services.

For all the forecasts, warnings and weather related news, click here

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