Express & Star

So you think this is cold! Temperatures fall further overnight with snow forecast

People should be braced for further snow flurries overnight as temperatures plummet once again

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Cold for people heading to work in Cannock town centre

The worst of this week's winter weather blast is far from over - as further snow and even colder temperatures are forecast over the next 24 hours.

The Midlands has escaped the heavy snow which has blighted many of Britain's roads, railways and airports, with delays and cancellations.

But the Met Office issued yellow weather warnings for the West Midlands into tomorrow with people warned to expect heavy snow showers.

Today some side roads in the Black Country, Staffordshire and Worcestershire have been left treacherous by snow and ice patches.

Snow has covered the ground in many town centres and parks as gritting teams have been out across the region in a bid to keep roads clear.

It has been a day to wrap up warm as this wintery scene in The Croft, Aldridge, shows
Sub zero temperatures have seen this canal in Brownhills freeze over
Snow scattered between the plants around the war memorial in Cannock town centre
The frozen waterways captured by Express & Star photographer Tim Sturgess at the Rushall top lock
The frozen canal at Longwood boat club at Rushall top lock
Cold weather for these ducks
A dog walker makes their way through a snowy Priory Park in Dudley
Crocuses push their way through the snow
Tough conditions for drivers with this snowy surface in Paganel Drive, Dudley
A snow covered Priory Ruins in Dudley
It was a cold day in Dudley today

Latest news and weather warnings

  • Sandwell Council has announced that due to the snow forecast for Friday and the very low temperatures, football matches are cancelled on council pitches this weekend.

  • The council has also sent officials to make contact with vulnerable tenants to ensure they are safe and warm and can deal with the expected snow and sub-zero temperatures. For help and support visit the Sandwell Council website.

  • Staffordshire County Council has published guidelines for how it is gritting the roads and will ones will be treated. Visit the council website for details.

  • The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Russells Hall Hospital, is calling for volunteers with 4x4 vehicles to offer their assistance to transport staff to and from work safely if there is heavy snowfall this week. Email dgft.volunteering@nhs.net for details.

Other parts of the country have been worse hit by the 'Beast from the East' with hundreds of schools closed and significant disruption on the road and rail network as a result of heavy snow in Scotland.

The highest level of weather warning has been issued for Scotland and Ireland as forecasters warn of “blizzard-like” conditions.

Find out the weather forecast for Wednesday afternoon and Thursday

A yellow weather warning for snow and winds causing drifts has been issued by the Met Office for the West Midlands over the next 24 hours.

Met Office forecasters said: "There is the potential for travel delays on roads, with some stranded vehicles and passengers, as well as delays or cancellations to rail and air travel.

"Some rural communities could become cut off. Power cuts may also occur and other services, such as mobile phones, may be affected."

The Met Office is also warning of winds causing drifting snow which could make for treacherous driving conditions.

Forecasters added: "A spell of snow, heavy in places, is likely to move slowly north from Thursday morning onwards.

"The snow will be accompanied by strong winds, leading to the potential for drifting of lying snow."

Overnight temperatures fall to a bitter -6C (21F) with heavy snow showers forecasted to return by around 3am.

Into Thursday the mercury will struggle to rise higher than -3C (27F) during daytime with more snow expected to arrive.

And it doesn't stop there.

Early warnings for snow are also forecast for Friday in the West Midlands.