HAMPSHIRE is set for a big freeze with temperatures set to plunge over the next few days.

There may even be snow in the county today with the Met Office saying there is also a possibility of sleet.

After a very mild winter until now, where the UK experienced its warmest and wettest December on record, cold temperatures will now return.

Today, the Met Office says conditions in the South will be “cloudy and cold with rain or sleet, and perhaps hill snow” before “becoming drier from the west by dusk”.

The agency says Saturday and Sunday in particular will be cold, with Sunday morning the chilliest conditions Hampshire has experienced for many months.

While the actual temperature will be between 1 and 4°C on Saturday, the agency says it will feel like it is between -1 and -4°C. And the following day will be even colder, with the real temperature set to slip below freezing until the afternoon, and it set to feel as cold as -5°C in the morning.

Temperatures will then rise a little early next week, but still feel like they are below zero at times.

Hampshire police are advising people to take care on the county’s roads, while Hampshire County Council’s gritters will be out in force again to prepare roads.

Council transport and environment chief Seán Woodward said: “Highways teams were out salting last night, and are ready for tonight, keeping a close eye on road and air temperatures as well as the weather forecast.

“Ice is the main concern with many roads still very wet from the recent heavy rainfall and water running off surrounding land. With a forecast of more rain and wintery showers, interspersed with cold snaps, timings of salt runs are very important to ensure the salt has a chance to prevent ice forming before it is washed away.

“People may spot a number of salt wicks on the roadside – these are hessian bags full of salt which are placed at sites where water is known to flow onto the road from adjacent land.

"As the water passes through the salt wick, it increases in salinity and helps prevent ice forming.”   

Cllr Woodward added: “So far this winter, we’ve not used a lot of salt and we have a good stock across Hampshire.

"Our fleet of 51 salting vehicles will be out on the roads to combat icy and snowy conditions, making sure routes are salted in time for everyone to get to work and school as usual. I would, however, ask residents to take particular care if they are setting off early tomorrow and urge people to drive according to the conditions at all times.”