Snow showers forecast for Shropshire this weekend

A band of rain will turn more widely to snow early on Saturday morning followed by scattered snow showers throughout the remainder of the day.

A yellow warning for snow and ice is in force for most of Shropshire from just after 00.05am on Saturday morning through until 11.55pm.

An amber warning is in place for snow and ice between 4pm on Saturday and 9am on Sunday, mostly for east Shropshire.

Snow showers are expected to become more frequent through Saturday evening and night with icy patches also developing on some untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths. Strong easterly winds will lead to some temporary blizzard conditions and drifting of snow.

A yellow warning of snow is in place for between 00.05am on Sunday until 11.55pm as snow showers continue, and where these converge some snow may well accumulate and could then prove disruptive.

The air bringing this cold spell is once again coming from Scandinavia and brings bitter easterly winds across the UK resulting in not only very low temperatures but also a significant wind chill risk throughout the weekend, making it feel several degrees colder than thermometers show.

Met Office Chief Meteorologist Frank Saunders, said: “Although bitterly cold, there will be sunny spells for many on Saturday, as well as snow showers. Some of the showers will be heavy and it will feel cold with temperatures only reaching 0 °C to 3 °C widely.

“The heaviest snow is expected overnight Saturday into Sunday with around 5 – 10cms of snow within the warning areas, possibly more over high ground. Icy patches are a risk on untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths. It will stay bitterly cold and windy throughout Sunday with more sunshine and snow showers."

Richard Leonard, Highways England Head of Road Safety, said: “Gritters will be out treating our roads around the clock, but it is still important to drive to the conditions when snow is forecast. “Keep your distance and reduce your speed, because even in conditions that seem normal, and where the snow is not settling, it can be slippery if ice patches have formed, or where fresh grit has not been worked into the carriageway."

The weekend will also be windy for much of the UK with gales likely in places. With the wind coming from the east wind chill will be factor for many, making it feel even colder.

Public Health England have issued a Level 3 Cold weather alert for the coming weekend.

Dr Thomas Waite, a Consultant in Health Protection at Public Health England, said: “The weather has felt much milder for the last week or so but this weekend it will get much colder again. And that may come as a shock to the system for some whose bodies may struggle to cope in cold weather.

"It’s worth remembering that cold temperatures – indoors and outdoors - can affect health, particularly in young children, older people and those with heart and lung conditions. So if you know someone in any of these groups, please keep an eye on them over the coming days make sure they’re heating their homes to at least 18C and keeping an eye on the weather forecast.”