It's cold and it's going to get a whole lot colder this weekend. And while it's good to plan ahead with getting out those extra jumpers and woolly socks there's also a role for technology to get you through the bitter cold.
Of course there are a variety of apps and websites to help keep you entertained if you’re snowed in but there are also ones you can use to ensure you stay safe if you really must venture out.
Here's a list of some of my favourites, along with a couple of gadgets to help take the edge off those icy conditions.
Met Office - iPhone/Android - Free
There's no better way to know what weather is heading your way than with the official app from the Met Office. Updated 24/7, it includes a five-day overview and crucially forecasts the next three hours for 5,000 locations around Britain. You'll also receive the latest weather warnings.
RAC Traffic - iPhone, Android, Windows Phone, Symbian - Free
If you must leave home in the car, then along with a blanket, flask of tea and emergency warning triangle, this app is indispensable. The free version displays the traffic incidents on an interactive map while for 69p, a paid-for version on iPhone and Android let's you plan routes around any snowy chaos.
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FirePlace - iPhone/iPad - 69p
When it's cold outside, there's nothing nicer than sitting in front of a roaring log fire. And while this won't create the same sort of heat as a virtual one, surprisingly if you stare at the virtual on-screen flames for long enough, you may well get a toasty feeling inside. You can even play your own music over the top.
Etre Fivepoint Gloves - £40
Keep frostbitten digits warm
There are a lot of gloves out there offering you the chance to control your touchscreen while wearing them, but these are the best I've found. They're not cheap but will keep your frostbitten digits warm while the contacts in each fingertip ensure you can tap away on any touchscreen device.
Snowball Wars - iPhone - 69p
Chucking big blobs of ice at your friends or family might seem a good idea, but when you're soaked through, hiding behind a car, you'll wish to be in the warm. This throwaway iPhone game is good value with 30 levels to tackle while watching from your comfortable sofa as the fools get increasingly wet outside.
SAS Survival Guide - iPhone - £3.99
If, and it's a big if, you do find yourself stuck in the snow, then this app could be a lifesaver. Ok, it's a slim chance but this guide is packed full of advice and tips on surviving the harshest of conditions and is written by a former SAS soldier. There's a good first aid section too, for any winter-induced injuries.
Tiny Flashlight - Android - Free
Should the lights go out from a power cut, would you have a torch to hand? Install this on your smartphone and turn your camera's LED flash into the brightest of lights. Perfect for the car too, it can even do Morse code - making it perfect to test what you learnt using the SAS Survival Guide.
The snug TurboCharger
Proporta USB TurboCharger - £54.95
Running out of power is a pain at any time of the year but having no juice left in your phone in the winter can prove dangerous. This TurboCharger fits snug in a bag or pocket and can re-power a range of gadgets once you've stored some emergency electricity inside the slim and lightweight body with a single charge.
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