The West Midlands is preparing for a perilous and rare weather phenomenon this weekend, with forecasters warning of "extremely hazardous" freezing rain set to strike in the early hours of Sunday, 11 January 2026.
What is freezing rain and why is it so dangerous?
Following the severe disruption caused by Storm Goretti, the Met Office has issued a stark alert for the region. The danger period is expected between 3am and 9am on Sunday, as temperatures in Birmingham plummet to around -2°C.
This specific event occurs when rain falls from warmer air high up, becoming "supercooled" as it passes through a layer of freezing air near the ground. The result is instant freezing upon contact with any surface. This creates a treacherous, transparent layer of ice known as black ice or glaze, which can be several centimetres thick.
Unlike snow, this ice is often invisible to pedestrians and drivers. It is also heavy enough to snap power lines and tree branches, posing a severe and immediate risk to the Sunday morning commute, aviation, and public safety.
Widespread warnings and ongoing disruption
A 13-hour yellow weather warning for snow and ice is active from 2am to 3pm on Sunday. After the initial freezing rain, the region can expect a blanket of snow, with 0.6cm to 5cm forecast widely and up to 20cm possible on higher ground in Staffordshire and Derbyshire.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has extended its amber cold health alert until 12pm on Monday, 12 January. It warns of potential increases in mortality, especially for the over-65s, and significant strain on NHS services as indoor temperatures struggle to meet the recommended 18°C.
Travel networks are still recovering from Storm Goretti's impact. Key operators including West Midlands Railway, CrossCountry, and Transport for Wales are running altered or reduced services. Furthermore, National Grid teams are working to restore power to roughly 1,700 homes in the West Midlands that remained off supply as of Saturday morning.
A brief respite before more wild weather
While Saturday offered some sunnier conditions, the sharp drop in temperature overnight sets the stage for Sunday's hazards. Looking beyond the weekend, the Met Office predicts a shift to milder conditions from Monday, 12 January.
This thaw, however, brings its own set of problems. Strengthening winds and periods of heavy rain are expected, which could lead to flooding as the significant snow accumulations begin to melt rapidly.
Residents across Birmingham and the wider West Midlands are urged to exercise extreme caution on Sunday morning, to check travel updates before journeying, and to look in on vulnerable neighbours during this prolonged cold spell.
