The Met Office has issued an urgent weather warning for multiple counties across the Midlands region, with forecasters advising motorists to prepare essential winter kits for their vehicles before hazardous conditions develop on Wednesday. A yellow warning for ice has been officially declared, coming into force from midnight on Tuesday, January 27th, and remaining active until 10am on Wednesday, January 28th.
Affected Counties and Key Settlements
The weather alert specifically impacts a broad swathe of Midlands counties, including Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, the West Midlands metropolitan county, Staffordshire, Herefordshire, and Shropshire. Within these regions, numerous significant towns and cities are expected to experience potentially dangerous driving conditions.
West Midlands Metropolitan Area
The West Midlands region encompasses major urban centres including Birmingham, Coventry, Wolverhampton, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, and Walsall. Important surrounding towns such as Sutton Coldfield, West Bromwich, and Halesowen are also within the warning zone.
Shropshire and Worcestershire
In Shropshire, the largest settlements of Shrewsbury and Telford are affected, alongside historic market towns like Ludlow, Bridgnorth, Oswestry, and Church Stretton. Worcestershire's key towns include Bromsgrove, Kidderminster, Redditch, Malvern, Droitwich, Evesham, Bewdley, Stourport-on-Severn, Pershore, and Tenbury Wells.
Warwickshire, Herefordshire and Staffordshire
Warwickshire's affected areas include Nuneaton, Rugby, Leamington Spa, Warwick, Stratford-upon-Avon, and Kenilworth, plus surrounding market towns such as Atherstone, Bedworth, and Southam. Herefordshire's primary settlement of Hereford is included, along with historic market towns like Leominster, Ledbury, Ross-on-Wye, Kington, and Bromyard. Staffordshire's impacted towns encompass Stoke-on-Trent, Burton upon Trent, Cannock, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Tamworth, Lichfield, Rugeley, Biddulph, Cheadle, Stone, and Burntwood.
Official Safety Recommendations
The Met Office has issued specific guidance for drivers in the affected regions, emphasising that preparing a winter emergency kit for vehicles could prove crucial during cold and wintry conditions. Forecasters recommend packing several essential items in car boots to ensure readiness in case vehicles become stuck during the adverse weather period.
Pre-Journey Preparations
Motorists are advised to thoroughly plan their routes before departure, checking carefully for any delays or road closures that might have been announced. Allowing additional time for vehicle preparation and checks is strongly recommended, with particular attention to wiper functionality, tyre condition, and screen wash levels.
Essential Kit Components
The recommended winter car kit should include multiple crucial items:
- Warm clothing suitable for extended outdoor exposure
- Non-perishable food supplies and drinking water
- Blankets or thermal coverings for insulation
- A reliable torch with fresh batteries
- A fully charged mobile phone accompanied by an in-car charger
These preparations form part of broader safety measures during the yellow warning period, with the Met Office stressing that being properly equipped can significantly reduce risks associated with winter driving in potentially icy conditions across the Midlands region.
