Three-day 'heavy snow' could fall across Shropshire as yellow weather warning issued

It's set to be a white weekend in the Midlands as the warning spans from 12pm on Saturday (January 4) to approximately 9am on Monday (January 6).

Parts of the Midlands could face the most disruption with 5cm or more of snow expected to fall. 

Parts of the Midlands could face the most disruption with 5cm or more of snow expected to fall. 

The Met Office said the snowy weather could lead to school closures, delays for motorists and travel disruption for rail services and flights.

The forecasters also warned that there is a "small chance" of power cuts with other services, including mobile phone coverage, at risk of being affected, and some rural communities could be cut off.

Met Office meteorologist Tom Morgan said: “At the moment we’ve issued a very large snow warning for Saturday until Monday but it doesn’t mean that everywhere within that warning could see snow, it’s just a heads-up there could be some impacts.

“It’s definitely going to start off as snow in many places but it’s a question of how quickly that snow melts and turns back to rain, it’s more likely that the snow won’t last that long in southern England.

“It’s quite likely the warning will be updated quite frequently between now and the weekend.

“Certainly if you’ve got travel plans on Sunday and perhaps Monday stay tuned into the forecast.”

It comes as strong winds and heavy rain have been battering the UK, with the threat of flooding and disruption to New Year’s Day travel.

A yellow wind warning is in force until 3pm on Wednesday (January 1) for the majority of England and Wales, as winds of up to 60mph are forecast, with gusts of 75mph likely around coastal areas and hills, according to the Met Office.

Met Office advice 

Met Office weather experts have issued advice to residents expected to be impacted by snow.

On its website, it said: "Snowy, wintry weather can cause delays and make driving conditions dangerous, so to keep yourself and others safe: plan your route, checking for delays and road closures, amending your travel plans if necessary.

"If driving, leave more time to prepare and check your car before setting off; make sure you have essentials packed in your car in the event of any delays (warm clothing, food, water, a blanket, a torch, ice scraper/de-icer, a warning triangle, high visibility vest and an in-car phone charger)."

People are also advised to consider gathering torches or batteries in case of a power cut and stay up to date with the weather forecast.

There are also more than 120 flood warnings, meaning flooding is expected, are in place for England, 11 for Wales and 21 for Scotland.

Ben Lukey, flood duty manager at the Environment Agency, said “significant inland flooding” is possible after “heavy and persistent rain” and river levels will remain high across parts of the north of England until Thursday.

He said: “Environment Agency teams will be out on the ground, operating flood defences, taking action to reduce the impact of flooding, issuing flood warnings and supporting those communities affected.

“We advise anyone travelling or out celebrating the New Year to be especially careful and urge people to stay away from swollen rivers and not to drive through flood water as just 30cm of flowing water is enough to move your car.”