Winter arrives as cold spell hits region

Temperatures in the region are set to plunge as low as -4C (25F) this week as Arctic winds send a shudder down the spine of the British Isles.

Forecasters said some parts of the UK would see temperatures fall as low as -10C (14F), with snow also forecast in some regions.

While the West Midlands and Staffordshire is set to avoid any snow at least until next weekend, the mercury is unlikely to climb above 2C (36F).

A high pressure system hanging over Scandinavia and western Russia is set to push raw, easterly winds towards the UK as the week progresses, causing the longest spell of cold weather so far this winter, experts say. Some people in Wales and the far West of England woke up to a dusting of up to 2ins of snow this morning.

Paul Mott, forecaster with MeteoGroup, said: "The nights will be really cold throughout the week and there will be the occasional snow shower over the eastern counties of England, eastern Scotland and even London. There has been a sprinkling of snow overnight over parts of Wales, Devon, Somerset and Hampshire. It has mainly been over hills.

"There will be some fairly wet snow falling over the hills of Gloucestershire, Somerset and south Wales this morning but it will struggle to settle so shouldn't cause too many transport problems."

Motorways and roads around the West Midlands were gritted last night with Wolverhampton City Council sending lorries out at 9pm and Walsall Council out at 4pm.

Sandwell Council said it was the fourth night in a row gritting crews had been out.

The Met Office also issued a warning of severe cold weather across much of England until at least Thursday. Tonight is set to be cold but dry with clear spells and a widespread frost with patches of mist or fog and a minimum temperature of -4C (25F).

Wintry showers were forecast for higher parts of Staffordshire tomorrow.