Freezing conditions on the way as Shropshire put on cold alert

The Met Office issued a Level 2 alert for the West Midlands meaning colder weather could be on the way and there is a high chance of freezing conditions.

Frank Saunders, Chief Meteorologist at the Met Office, said: "Average temperatures are expected to continue falling through the weekend, with a northerly airstream likely to be established by Sunday. Frost and ice are expected to become increasingly widespread through the period, with some severe overnight frosts likely in the north over any snow cover by Monday."

But the daffs may regret their decision to flower so early.

They will have to weather the storm – quite literally – with high winds, torrential rain and sub-zero temperatures forecast for the next 10 days.

Mrs Breeze said she first noticed that the daffodils had bloomed on New Year's Day.

"They are a lot shorter that they usually are, which is probably a good thing as any taller and these winds would have snapped them off.

"Already they have survived the snow earlier this week and the rain and winds that we had yesterday.

"They must be a tough variety. Normally we wouldn't see any daffodils for at least another month."

Temperatures are set to drop to below zero tonight with the weekend remaining cold with sunny spells and the possibility of some scattered wintry showers and overnight frosts and ice. Next week temperatures are not expected to rise above 4C (39F).

The Met Office put Shropshire on under a yellow wind warning for the whole of Thursday, after heavy rain and wind hit the region on Wednesday night.

A spokesman for the Met Office said: "Gusts of 60 to 70 mph are expected in places, perhaps a little higher over western coasts and high ground. Heavy rain will accompany the high winds in some areas, with snow affecting some higher level routes.

"The public should be aware of the risk of disruption to transport and possibly to power supplies, as well as generally difficult driving conditions."

Flood warnings have also been put in place on parts of Shropshire after Wednesdays downpours.

In Melverley, a gritting lorry came to grief in the icy conditions. Thankfully the driver was not hurt.

The photo was taken by Shropshire Star reader, Darren Thomas, 44, of Bank Farm, Melverley. He had been taking his children to school.

Claire Wild, Shropshire Council's cabinet member for highways, said: "Thankfully no-one was hurt in this incident, but it shows what a potentially dangerous, but vital, role our drivers carry out."

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