West Midlands weather: Snow fall and strong winds see temperatures plummet sparking travel warnings

Police and highways teams were advising motorists to take care on the roads with sleet and ice a problem this morning.

There was also snow lying on pavements and patches of roads in more isolated areas.

Temperatures fell to around -1C (30F) overnight. It will rise to around 4C (39F) today but gusts of up to 40 mph will make it feel colder.

• Snow arrives in the West Midlands - in pictures

Motorists were facing queues on the M6 southbound between junction 9 for Wednesbury and junction 8 for the M5 link near West Bromwich.

There were also difficult driving conditions around parts of Staffordshire with police describing roads as 'very icy' in areas.

Dudley Council said its gritters were out overnight and were going back onto the roads this morning.

They would be focusing on treating main roads but to expected sleet and snow flurries.

Gritting teams from Worcestershire Council Council, covering Wyre Forest, Hagley and Clent had also been out overnight and this morning.

There were no reported school closures this morning due tp the snow fall including in Sandwell.

Heavy snow was lying across Scotland, Northern Ireland and parts of England.

Severe weather warnings have been issued by the Met Office across swathes of the country for high winds, snow and ice.

Walsall Council deputy leader, Councillor Lee Jeavons said: "We anticipated conditions getting colder and our contractor was set to start treating our six general precautionary salting/snow clearance routes – around 281 miles – from 4pm yesterday afternoon. A second treatment was provisionally booked for the early hours of Friday. However, we are able to be flexible about the timing in the light of ongoing weather and road conditions and a third treatment has not been ruled out in between these treatments."

Bosses at the M6 toll said they had 23 drivers and five gritters prepared alongside ploughs to tackle snow on the highway.

James Hodson, director of motorway operations and facilities for M6 Toll, said: "We are prepared and ready to play our part in keeping the region's roads open and safe on which to drive. However, we would urge drivers to be vigilant; give themselves extra travel time, reduce their speed and keep tuned into weather updates." Staffordshire County Council's gritting teams were rolled out early yesterday afternoon, in a pre-emptive strike before the snow showers hit.

Highways leader Mark Deaville said: "People should always drive with extra care in snowy and icy conditions to ensure they and other road users remain safe. We'll always treat our main roads if necessary and in prolonged periods of icy weather extend to other routes."

The region has already seen strong winds this week. In Staffordshire, a 40-year-old male driver had a lucky escape when a fallen branch punched though his windscreen and struck his head. The accident took place on Wednesday morning in Staffordshire Moorlands. A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: "A large tree had come down in the strong winds affecting the area.

"The driver, a 40 year old man, told the crew that the tree had come down onto his car and one of the branches had gone through his windscreen. Fortunately, he had been driving at an appropriate speed and was able to stop rapidly but not before the branch struck his face."

A spokesman for Heathrow Airport advised passengers travelling from the airport to check the status of their flights and apologised for any inconvenience.

Meanwhile a Gatwick Airport spokesman echoed a similar message.

Firefighters from the West Midlands have been sent to Essex to support emergency flooding preparations.

Two tactical advisors, experts in water rescue, will assist with any tidal surges, as severe flood warnings are put in place by the Environment Agency.

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High tides and gales were expected to bring disruption along the east coast overnight and today.

The 'severe' categorisation means the agency is warning of "danger to life".

About 100 soldiers have been sent to Lincolnshire to help issue door-to-door warnings, while the Essex village of Jaywick was due to be evacuated.

The east coast was affected by a storm surge in December 2013, when thousands were forced to abandon their homes as tides in parts of the North Sea reached higher levels than during the devastating floods of 1953.

By last night, there were three severe warnings in place, all in Essex: from Clacton to Lee Wick - Jaywick is on this stretch of coast - on the River Stour at Mistley, and at West Mersea.

There were more than 60 regular flood warnings in place across England - meaning flooding is expected and immediate action is required - with the majority on the east coast.