The Met Office has issued a series of new weather warnings for Birmingham and the wider West Midlands region, as a prolonged period of cold weather is set to continue. Residents are being urged to prepare for further disruption from snow and ice later this week.
Timeline of Warnings: Ice First, Then Snow
The first alert is a yellow warning for ice, which is in force from midnight on Tuesday, January 6, until 10am on Wednesday, January 7. This warning covers a large part of the country, including Birmingham and the Black Country.
The Met Office states that following rain, clear skies will lead to icy patches forming on untreated surfaces overnight, posing a risk of minor disruption, particularly for Wednesday morning's commute.
Storm Goretti to Bring Heavy Snow on Thursday
A more significant yellow warning for snow has been issued for later in the week. This alert is active from 6pm on Thursday, January 8, until noon on Friday, January 9.
The snow warning encompasses the entire West Midlands and East Midlands, most of Wales, and parts of the South East. The disruptive weather is associated with Storm Goretti, a deep area of low pressure named by Meteo France.
The forecast indicates that a band of heavy snow will develop over higher ground in South Wales on Thursday before spreading more widely across England and Wales overnight.
Expected Snowfall and Travel Advice
The Met Office predicts that 5 to 10cm of snow could settle widely, with the potential for up to 20cm on higher ground. Strong winds may also cause drifting of lying snow.
For Birmingham and the Black Country, the forecast suggests rain from early Thursday, with a high chance of precipitation from 3pm. As temperatures drop from 6pm, this rain is expected to turn to sleet and snow, with a 100% chance of some form of wintry mix by 7pm. Snow is likely to persist until around noon on Friday before turning back to rain as temperatures rise to 3°C.
Authorities are warning of potentially dangerous driving conditions. The public is advised to:
- Plan routes in advance, checking for delays and closures.
- Allow extra time for journeys and ensure vehicles are prepared for winter conditions.
- Pack an emergency kit for the car, including warm clothing, food, water, a torch, and an ice scraper.
- Prepare for possible power cuts by gathering torches, batteries, and mobile phone power packs.
- Stay updated with the latest forecasts, as weather warnings can change quickly.
Pedestrians and cyclists are also warned to take extra care on untreated pavements and roads, with advice to stick to main routes which are more likely to have been gritted.
