Cold snap comes to an end in Shropsire - here's what's next as a flood alert is in place

It was a cold and frosty scene across much of Shropshire last week as temperatures dipped below 0°C (32°F) on a regular basis and went as -5°C (23°F) on higher areas, but the forecast for the week ahead is for better and warmer conditions.

Temperatures on Monday were set to reach 6°C (42.8°F), while the Met Office forecast a rise to double figures on Tuesday with temperatures reaching as high as 10°C (50°F), but also overcast, and the outlook for the rest of the week was for drier weather with occasional bright spells.

A spokesman for the Met Office said: "The weather will be less cold than of late, turning cloudier with patchy rain.

"On Monday, there will be patchy fog and frost at first clearing to leave a mostly dry day. Some sunshine in the morning, though cloudier later, especially in the north and west. 

"Less chilly, but rather windy for a time, before the wind eases later. Maximum temperature 6 °C.

"Overnight, there are early clear spells across southern and eastern areas, but mostly cloudy overnight. Rain in the northwest, turning light and patchy as it extends southeast across the region. 

"Generally frost-free. Minimum temperature 3 °C.

"Tuesday looks set to be a mostly dry but largely cloudy day. One or two brighter breaks. Temperatures will be near average, though it will be a little breezy. Maximum temperature 9 °C.

"The outlook for Wednesday to Friday is generally dry on Wednesday and to end the week. 

"Often fairy cloudy but some bright spells, and although temperatures near average, patchy frost and fog forming during overnight cloud breaks."

Temperatures were set to rise to double figures on Monday as the country’s bitter cold snap comes to an end, but the thaw could also lead to some flooding.

The Met Office said that as temperatures move above 0°C, ice and snow would begin to melt, with localised flooding possible and more than 30 flood alerts are in place across England and Scotland.

Flood alerts in North Shropshire

This includes flood alerts in the north of the county, with warnings of flooding at the Walcot River gauge following recent heavy rainfall and snowmelt.

A spokesman for Floodline said: "River levels remain high, but continue to fall at the Walcot River gauge following recent heavy rainfall and snowmelt. 

"Consequently, flooding of roads and farmland continues.

"We expect flooding to affect low lying land and roads adjacent to the river from Wolverley to Newport. Other locations that may be affected include Market Drayton, Wem and Rodington.

"Light rainfall is possible over the next 36 hours. We expect river levels to remain high until tomorrow and we are closely monitoring the situation.

"Please avoid using low lying footpaths near local watercourses and plan driving routes to avoid low lying roads near rivers, which may be flooded."