Big chill set to get worse in the Midlands

Nov 28 2010 by Jasbir Authi, Sunday Mercury

THE snow-hit Midlands is set to remain in the midst of an arctic grip for the next FORTNIGHT, forecasters predicted last night.

Temperatures will plunge as low as -7C, with gale force winds set to batter the region on Tuesday.

The chilly warnings came as the UK is in the midst of the earliest widespread snowfall for 17 years. Met Office forecasters are warning of icy conditions continuing through the West Midlands, Staffordshire, Shropshire and Warwickshire on Monday and well into next week.

The arctic blast has been caused by high pressure over Greenland and low pressure in the Baltics, forcing cold winds from the north east.

Around 5cms of snow fell on Birmingham yesterday, with snow also falling in many other parts of the region. Heavier snow showers are expected as the week goes on.

Charles Powell, Met forecaster, said: “Temperatures will drop as low as -5C on Saturday night and it will be another cold, dry, day on Sunday with temperatures struggling to get up to 2C.

“Temperatures will drop to -5C on Sunday and there will be the risk of the odd snow shower on Monday afternoon, as temperatures remain around 2C.”

Mr Powell warned Midlanders to expect the worst on Tuesday as the cold spell worsens.

He said: “Tuesday will be disruptive. There will be cold, biting raw gale force winds and an increased risk of frequent snow showers. Temperatures will be around 2C but the cold winds will make it feel more like -6C.

“Wednesday will be fairly similar and we are going to continue with the cold theme for a week or two after, as the easterly wind brings in cold.”

One of the coldest place overnight on Friday was Trawscoed, west Wales, where -10C was recorded. Dalwhinnie, in the Highlands, recorded -8.2C, and Chesham, Buckinghamshire, hit -7C.