Macclesfield in Cheshire is under a yellow ice warning until 10:00 AM on February 17, 2026, as clearing skies cause road temperatures to drop. The Met Office issued the alert following a night of rain, sleet, and snow on higher ground. Residents are encouraged to allow extra time for their journeys and to be careful on untreated pavements and cycle paths.
The icy conditions developed after overnight wet weather cleared, leaving surfaces damp as temperatures fell. While some snow fell on ground above 150 metres, officials are more concerned about ice forming on roads that have not been treated with salt. High-altitude routes like the A537 Cat and Fiddle are often seen as high-risk areas during this type of weather.
This warning comes as many local residents remain concerned about recent changes to winter maintenance. Cheshire East Council has previously removed more than 200 roads from its primary gritting routes to reduce costs. This includes streets near schools like Whirley Primary School, which sits on a hill and was previously part of a regular gritting route.
Icy weather has already caused issues in the area this year. In early January 2026, similar conditions led to delays for bin collection services and travel throughout the borough. Macclesfield Town Council has previously looked into funding its own gritting for specific high-risk roads to help keep the community moving during winter freezes.
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