Drivers warned as snow hits Shropshire - with more on the way
Motorists were warned to drive safely and to be aware of the conditions with ice covering Shropshire's roads, and snow showers across parts of the county.
Shrewsbury, Ludlow, Much Wenlock and parts of Powys saw snow fall yesterday and there was a dusting of the white stuff in Telford too.
A yellow weather warning remained in place, and the Met Office said today would bring record low temperatures and more snow.
In Telford & Wrekin, council gritting machines have been out this afternoon to salt the road, in preparation for "potentially the coldest night of the winter so far".
Snow fell at about 6.30am yesterday near Shipton and Much Wenlock, and Montgomery was also affected.
Chirbury in west Shropshire was also affected by snow.
Plummeting temperatures all over the region brought frost and ice to the roadways.
One car flipped onto its roof in Market Drayton.
Police, fire crews and ambulance staff attended the A53 near Drayton Meadows at about 7.40am today.
The car was found on its roof on a traffic island, and the driver, who freed themselves, had minor injuries.
A woman was trapped in her car after a crash near Bishop's Castle.
The accident happened on the A488 at Lydham at 9.50am and only involved one car.
Fire crews including the rescue tender from Bishops Castle, Clun and Wellington were called to the scene and were able to release the woman within 20 minutes.
Shrewsbury Police warned on Twitter: "Please take extra care if you’re commuting this morning. Allow extra time for your journey and go slow."
Shropshire's Operational Patrol Unit said: "Check your vehicle before your journey and drive accordingly to the weather and road conditions."
Madeley's Safer Neighbourhood Team said: "Don't leave your cars unattended whilst defrosting them on these cold mornings. Don't become a victim of car theft."
Journeys on the roads could take longer and should be avoided if possible, said Met Office meteorologist Alex Burkill.
According to forecasters a weather system set to arrive today could break this winter's current record low of -10.8C and bring significant snowfall.
Mr Burkill said: "Looking further ahead, it's what happens today that has the potential to be more disruptive.
"It does have the potential to bring some very significant snow. We have already got a warning out in force for it.
"It's currently just a yellow warning, but it's not out of the question that will be ramped up nearer the time.
"It's looking like it will be a spell of persistent snow."
Three schools in Powys were closed yesterday because of the weather: Llanfair Caereinion CP School and Caereinion High School, both in Llanfair Caereinion, and Banw CP School in Llangadfan.
Eleswhere, snowfall brought Manchester and Liverpool airports to a standstill on Wednesday morning.
Temperatures of minus 10 degrees Celsius (14F) are possible in parts of the country in the early hours of Thursday, the Met Office warned.
Gritters worked to clear roads across the north west as commuters were warned over tricky conditions and long delays by Highways England.
The disruption is set to deepen with a weather system arriving from the south west and pushing north on Thursday.
It is forecast to bring a widespread harsh frost along with freezing fog and significant snowfall, with several centimetres possible across parts of England, said Met Office meteorologist Alex Burkill.
Further warnings have been issued for Wales and most of England on Thursday and Friday, taking effect from 3pm on Thursday until midday on Friday.
Snow is likely to settle, meaning Friday could be a snow day for many, but some uncertainty remains, Mr Burkill said.
Councils have prepared for heavy snowfall, with more than 1.4 million tonnes of salt stockpiled, the Local Government Association said.
