There are many types of severe weather events that can have a serious local impact in the UK. During the winter this may result in storms, gales, low temperatures and heavy snow.
The information below provides practical advice and guidance on how to help you and your family keep warm, healthy and safe during the winter period.
Preparing for winter
- Protect your home - Guidance on how to prepare and protect your home for and during winter.
- Keeping warm and well: staying safe in cold weather (GOV.UK) - Leaflet providing advice on how to keep warm and well during winter.
- Keeping warm and well: staying safe in cold weather (GOV.UK) - An easy to read pictorial poster that you can print out to use.
- Sign up to receive severe weather and school closure email alerts.
- Complete a household emergency plan, which should include important numbers, such as your home insurer, doctor and the police.
- Prepare an emergency grab bag in case you or your family have to move location at short notice.
During snow or ice
- Find the latest information on school closures in West Sussex.
- Check the forecast from the Met Office and watch out for severe weather warnings.
- Keep up to date with events by following WSCC news on Twitter and liking us on Facebook.
- Keep your mobile phone fully charged.
- Check that any elderly or disabled neighbours are managing in the cold weather - if you are worried about them, you can contact us.
Weather information
- Latest weather forecast from the Met Office.
- Latest severe weather warnings from the Met Office.
Advice on driving in adverse weather
- Avoid driving in adverse weather conditions where possible.
- If you have to drive in adverse weather, tell someone where you are going, check the route before you set off, and take a fully charged mobile phone with you.
- If you come across floodwater and have to stop, do not take a chance by trying to drive through it. Find an alternative route.
- If you become stranded in floodwater, stay in your vehicle unless there is a danger to life. In an emergency, call 999.
- Ensure you have your car insurance details in your glovebox and saved on your mobile phone.
- Be aware of hidden dangers in floodwater such as ditches and open manhole covers.
Travel information
Help your community
- Check who might need help in your community should the weather turn bad by speaking to your local parish clerk.
- Help your community by volunteering.
- Find out about the What If programme.
Other resources
Contact the Energy Saving Trust for free, impartial advice on reducing your heating bills and making your home more energy efficient.
Protect your business
Our Protect your business pages provide information on how to prepare a business continuity plan to help in the event of extreme weather.