Met Office Issues Snow and Ice Warning for West Midlands as Temperatures Plummet

The Met Office has issued a yellow snow and ice warning for the West Midlands, anticipating wintry showers and icy patches that could disrupt travel throughout Tuesday morning, January 6. The warning remains in effect until 11am, advising motorists, bus, and train passengers to prepare for possible delays.

According to the Met Office, roads and railways in the region are likely to be affected by the harsh conditions, with longer journey times expected. There is also a heightened risk of slips and falls on icy surfaces, particularly on untreated roads, pavements, and cycle paths.

This latest alert extends a snow and ice warning issued on Monday, now covering a broader period into Tuesday morning. The weather service noted: “Scattered rain, sleet, and snow showers will continue across Wales and western England on Tuesday morning, potentially moving eastward. While not all areas will see snow, small accumulations are possible, especially over higher ground in Wales where 1-3 cm of snow could settle. Elsewhere, accumulations of up to 1 cm may occur in isolated locations.”

Freezing temperatures will contribute to widespread icy surfaces, raising the risk of hazardous travel conditions. Across the UK, additional yellow snow and ice warnings are active in southwest, northern, and eastern England, as well as Wales. Meanwhile, northern Scotland faces two amber snow warnings in effect until Tuesday evening.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has also issued amber cold health alerts for England, warning that low temperatures could impact health and wellbeing through Friday.

Overnight Monday into Tuesday, temperatures are expected to drop below freezing nationwide, with some areas experiencing lows near –12°C, especially those covered by snow. The severe weather has already led to hundreds of school closures, flight cancellations, and train disruptions across the UK.