GRITTING teams are preparing for the first snow of the year today.

Gloucestershire County Council has said it is on standby and that its crews will be working “around the clock” to manage any disruption.

The authority said it was “fully prepared” for any bad weather and encouraged motorists to take extra precautions while driving.

The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for snow across the country, with rain this morning turning to sleet and snow as the day goes on.

In some of the county’s higher areas, such as the Cotswolds and Forest of Dean, there could be up to four cm of snow settling.

Rain is expected to turn to sleet in the Five Valleys from around 3pm, before turning to 'heavy snow' from around 4pm, according to the Met Office.

Cllr Vernon Smith, cabinet member for highways at the county council said: “With the first snowfall of the year forecast today our teams are fully prepared.

“Although we are only expecting a brief period of snow, our crews will work around the clock to make sure the effects of the bad weather are as short-lived as possible.

“We’d also encourage drivers to take extra care and think about their journeys before setting off.”

He said it is also important that communities are fully prepared and that people look out for their neighbours, who may need assistance to remain comfortable and warm during the wintry weather.

Although the snow is due to clear away to the east through the evening, parts of Gloucestershire will then see temperatures drop below zero, which means the county’s gritting teams will be back out on the roads.

Crews have already been out around the county in recent weeks with temperatures regularly dropping below zero overnight.

This year highways started the season with just over 11,331 tonnes of salt at covered salt domes based in Stroudwater, Cannop, Moreton and Cirencester.