After recent snowfall and clearer conditions in Herefordshire, temperatures fell as low as minus 13 Celsius in some locations overnight. Here in Ross-on-Wye, at 8.00am, the Wyenot Weather Station is measuring -10.6 Celsius and falling.

Herefordshire Council reports that A and B roads are passable with care. They were treated at 6pm yesterday and again this morning at 4am, and over 340 tonnes of rock salt was used, but untreated surfaces and unclassified roads remain hazardous. Herefordshire Council's emergency information line is up and running and residents can ring this for the latest information - the number is 0844 939 6101.

Herefordshire's schools are expected to be closed today generally but those opening will notify local radio to inform parents, updating their school's website and implementing their processes for contacting parents and carers. Schools transport operators are not running services today.

As the weather forecast remains uncertain, schools are considering their local circumstances on a daily basis and will inform the council and local media when they are due to reopen. The county's emergency services along, with Herefordshire Council and NHS Herefordshire, are meeting regularly to review the situation and make plans to ensure key services are maintained and communities supported throughout the spell of wintery weather.

The message from the police is to stay at home if possible and only go out if it's an urgent journey. Don't get caught out even on short journeys. If you have to travel, then make sure you take plenty of warm clothing, food and hot drinks.

The West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust has backed this call warning that iced-up untreated roads and pavements will be very slippery - so people should take care to avoid the risk of slips, trips and falls if they have to venture out on foot. NHS Herefordshire is urging people to only use 999 if a situation is life-threatening - anyone requiring medical treatment should consider using parts of the NHS other than A&E and the 999 service.

People can get advice on their condition from their local pharmacist or GP and should also consider calling NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 or visiting it on-line at www.nhs.uk.