IT’S time to dig out the gloves, scarves and bobble hats – the big freeze is returning to Hampshire.

Icy polar winds are blowing in from the north bringing overnight frosts and putting the gritting lorries back onto the roads.

Tonight and tomorrow, temperatures could dip as low as -1C (30F) in rural areas although the added wind chill factor will make it feel more like -4C (25F).

Just a fortnight ago Hampshire was basking in balmy weekend temperatures topping 20C (68F), but the region is now set for weather that is well below average for the time of year.

Met Office figures show the average maximum temperature in the South East during October is 14C (57F), whereas tomorrow there will be highs of only 9C (48F).

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Rural areas of Hampshire are likely to see a ground frost and early morning commuters may need their ice scrapers to clear car windscreens.

Met Office Spokesman Sarah Holland said: “Although it will be dry and bright over the next few days, it is going to get chilly, especially tomorrow.

“It is because of a northerly wind flow, which is bringing much colder air sweeping across the UK.”

The wintry forecast means Hampshire County Council is preparing to send out the gritters for the first time since last winter, which was the coldest for 30 years.

Temperatures in December, January and February struggled to stay above zero making it the deepest freeze since 1978/9.

Heavy snow and freezing temperatures brought parts of Hampshire to a standstill with schools and colleges, roads and Southampton Airport all closed because of the conditions.

environment boss Councillor Mel Kendal said: “According to our medium term forecast, it may be necessary to send out the salting vehicles midweek.

“We use strategically placed roadside sensors to accurately monitor road conditions including air and road surface temperature which help us determine the best time to treat the roads for the optimum benefit.”

After the travel chaos caused by last winter’s severe weather, the county council has stepped up its salt provision by 50 per cent and now has 18,000 tonnes stockpiled.

Southampton City Council says it is also ready for frosty conditions.

Councillor Matthew Dean, Cabinet member for environment and transport, said: “We have five gritting lorries ready to roll, 800 tonnes of rock salt in our depot and a further 2,000 tonnes we can access if needed.

“We’ll be carefully monitoring the situation over the next few days and if we have any indication our gritting lorries are called for they can be sent out immediately.”

The cold snap is not set to last, with winds turning westerly at the end of the week and temperatures returning to around 14C (57F) on Friday and 6C (43F) overnight.