Forecasters warning fresh Arctic blast looms

Britain was today facing a fresh onslaught of Arctic weather with airports, rail companies and breakdown services putting extra snow teams on standby.

And forecasters warned Shropshire was set to shiver with temperatures likely to fall as low as minus 11C.

Forecasters say sleet showers and overnight temperatures of minus 6C (21F) are expected tonight, more snow and temperatures between freezing and minus 3C (27F) are likely tomorrow while heavy snow and temperatures between freezing and minus 5C (23F) are expected on Saturday.

The forecast will deteriorate on Sunday, with overnight temperatures expected to fall as low as minus 11C (12F) at the Met Office weather station in Shawbury.

Snow is already returning to Scotland and coastal areas today with some areas receiving a snowfall of 15cm (6in).

Julian Mayes, senior forecaster at MeteoGroup, the weather division of the Press Association, said: "We're basically looking at potential icy conditions spreading down from the north so the emphasis is on icy roads following rain.

"Tonight will end up very cold with snow showers that will affect particularly north Scotland and western coasts.

"What we're going to find on Friday is these snow showers begin to move eastwards. Going into Saturday morning, a larger area of snow is going to develop and begin to move east."

Gavin Hill-Smith, AA spokesman, said: "We're expecting things to be pretty busy as we start to enter the Christmas getaway period."

Gritters in Shropshire are all geared up for the anticipated downfall over coming days.