Severe snow and ice warning issued for Shropshire and Mid Wales

The agency's yellow 'be aware' warning is valid from 6pm on Thursday until 11am on Friday.

As a result motorists are likely to see sleet, snow, ice and rain combining to make for hazardous driving conditions.

Some five to 10 centimetres of snow is possible in higher areas, while lower ground may see between one and three centimetres.

The showers will become increasingly frequent as temperatures plummet throughout the night, but they may also fall as sleet or rain, increasing the chance of ice on untreated surfaces.

Roads will be wet and slushy when ice and snow melt as temperatures increase again in the morning.

Significant frosts are also expected for the next few days. Temperatures in the day are unlikely to top 5C (41F) and will fall as low as -3 (27F) at night.

The yellow alert is the second least severe of four warnings issued by the Met Office, and people affected are advised to plan ahead and be prepared for travel delays and disruption.

Today Twitter user @shropshirewalks tweeted:

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Although major roads will be gritted, ice is still likely to be in place and motorists, cyclists and walkers are encouraged to take extra care.

Details on gritting routes can be found on individual council websites, while the latest weather updates are available on the Met Office site.

The cold snap is in sharp contrast to last month, which was both the wettest and warmest December on record, when temperatures averaged 7.9C (46.2F).

Andrew Proctor, director of advice and support at Asthma UK, said: "With very cold weather expected across much of the UK this week, particularly on Thursday, people with asthma need to take extra care.

"Cold air can have a severe impact on people with asthma. As many as three-quarters of people with asthma tell us it can trigger symptoms, making sensitive airways tighten up quickly and putting people at risk of a potentially life-threatening asthma attack.

"If you find cold weather makes your asthma worse, make sure you wrap up warm, carry your reliever inhaler, and know what to do if your symptoms get worse."

Plummeting temperatures have come as a shock after a mild winter so far. It prompted a warning from public health chiefs to the elderly to keep their homes warm and have a flu jab.

Public Health England's Dr Angie Bone said: "The weather will be colder – it will be a significant change."