GRITTERS will be out in force on the county's roads this week as plummeting temperatures grip the nation. 

Oxfordshire has so far been spared the worst of the cold weather, however, the Met Office has issued a yellow warning for snow on Friday and Saturday.

A few hesitant snowflakes have fallen across the county throughout the morning after a flurry of white dusted pavements and roads yesterday afternoon.

Oxfordshire County Council confirmed its gritters will again be out today from midday.

County council spokesman Paul Smith said: "We are keeping a constant watch on the forecast for as long as these exceptionally cold conditions persist.

"The gritters will be sent out whenever necessary in coming days."

One gritting run covers 1,200 miles of Oxfordshire road including all A-roads, B-roads and some C-roads - the equivalent distance of London to Iceland.

Highways England are responsible for gritting the A34, A43 and the M40.

Meanwhile, Oxford City Council has extended its Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) for rough sleepers.

This means emergency beds will remain available for any rough sleeper in the city with the council set to review the situation on Friday morning.

Forecasts say temperatures could drop as low as -12C by the end of the week, with the Met Office's warning currently in place for all of Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Forecasters warn of a 'potential spell of heavy snow, accompanied by strong winds'.

Oxford Mail:

Met Office warning for Friday 

Any snow we do get today is most likely to fall at 4pm, when there is a 60 per cent chance of a light shower.

Oxford Mail:

The Met Office warning for Tuesday 

Predictions for Friday suggest snowfall could last all day in Oxford, before dying down early on Saturday morning.

Forecasters predict as much as 10cm within the warning area.

In much of Oxfordshire today, temperatures are expected to dip to -4C, but icy winds mean the temperature could feel more like -8C

Tomorrow evening, temperatures could feel as cold as -12C.