THE big freeze is making way for the big thaw as temperatures start to rise and rain instead of snow is predicted for the first time in weeks.

Lizzie Parry

THE big freeze is making way for the big thaw as temperatures start to rise and rain instead of snow is predicted for the first time in weeks.

Yesterday, sleet and snow drenched the county resulting in hazardous conditions for another day on the roads with motorists facing slippery, slushy surfaces.

Two toddlers were involved in accidents on icy roads in Suffolk yesterday. In Bramford Road, Ipswich a four-year-old boy was hit by a car, which skidded into him.

Suffering head injuries the youngster was checked by paramedics who left him in the care of his mum.

Meanwhile, in Lowestoft another toddler suffered head injuries after being involved in a collision with a car, an MG Rover.The child, who was unable to move his legs and was screaming with pain, was taken to the James Paget Hospital.

But good news came from Suffolk County Council revealing more grit has arrived in Ipswich bound for our roads with a delivery of 1,700 tonnes of salt at Ipswich Docks yesterday.

And weather experts are predicting a warmer weekend, with temperatures creeping above freezing and the threat of rain showers as opposed to snow flurries late on Saturday.

Speaking last night John Law, a forecaster at Weatherquest, said the gloomy conditions should make way for brighter weather by Sunday.

He said of today's forecast: “Watch out for mist and fog lingering, where the fog lingers the longest temperatures will struggle to get above freezing.

“It is still going to be cold enough for frost and ice so the road conditions could still be difficult.

“Generally it will be a dry day with the best temperatures in the eastern side of the county reaching between 2C and 3C. Further inland the temperatures will hover around freezing.

“The weekend is set to be better with the winds picking up on Saturday and an area of rain feeding across later in the day. Sunday will hopefully be a drier, brighter day.”

Gritting teams continued their hard work overnight and into this morning, ensuring priority one routes were treated across the county, with the gritters on standby to once again venture out in the early hours of this morning if needed.

Meanwhile, in Nazeing, Essex, fire crews and marine divers from the Metropolitan Police discovered the body of a woman who had fallen through ice into a lake.

The body of a woman in her 40s was found shortly before 6pm last night after reports that a local woman had gone missing while attempting to rescue her dog from the water.

lizzie.parry@eadt.co.uk