Snow has blanketed many parts of the West Midlands today as temperatures dropped across the region. The Met Office placed a yellow warning for snow and ice and stated that travel disruption could be caused by the weather.
But for the rest of today (Sunday, January 5) forecasters have predicted that rain will be falling instead of snow in Birmingham. This will remain the case until tomorrow when sleet showers could occur between 5am and 9am.
Sleet could then return later on in the evening, followed by more rain. Light snow is forecast on Wednesday, January 8, with temperatures of -1 and -2 predicted later in the week.
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A spokesperson for Met Office said of today: “Rain continues through much of the day, heavy at times in the northwest beneath the thickest cloud. Easing in the east for a time but winds can be strong here. Cold across the north but milder in the south. Maximum temperature 10 °C.”
They added for tonight in Birmingham: “Rain moves eastwards overnight, with the return of snow for some by the early hours. Turning drier but colder by dawn however, with winds easing and shifting to a northerly. Minimum temperature 0 °C.”
In a forecast for next week, they continued: “Remaining cold with icy surfaces persisting in sheltered spots this week. Spells of hazy sunshine broken up by occasional wintry showers by day, with clear skies bringing some frosty nights.”
In a long range UK forecast for the period between January 9 to January 18, Met Office said: “Cold initially, with widespread frost and an ongoing risk of ice. Snow showers likely in northern Scotland, with wintry showers also possible in some other coastal districts in particular.
“Some rain, sleet or snow is possible over the far south at first on Thursday but should clear quickly. More settled for most on Friday, although a band of cloud and rain may move in to the far west later.
“Through the weekend and beyond, high pressure is likely to develop close to the UK, with generally settled conditions prevailing through to mid-month. That said, some wintry showers will be possible at times, and there may also be some occasional attempts of milder conditions and outbreaks of rain (perhaps preceded by snow) to approach from the Atlantic into some western parts.”