West Midlands weather: Gritters prepare to spring into action across Staffordshire and the Black Country as temperatures plummet

The drastic drop in temperature will see thermometers potentially drop below freezing as the West Midlands and the wider UK enter a cold snap period. 

An amber warning for snow and ice has been put in place of the yellow alert previously issued by the Met Office, with the weather group warning people of adverse driving and travelling conditions. 

Meteorologists warned that temperatures may potentially hit a low of -1C later tonight. With temperatures expected to drop to a low of -2C on Saturday, and a potential for -4C on Sunday. 

Now, West Midlands councils have said that they are on high alert for possible issues arising from the cold weather and that the region's gritting teams will be on patrol to help keep us moving. 

Staffordshire County Council said that their fleet of 38 gritters and associated crews have been on alert since Christmas and that they are ready to 'jump into action' should the need arise. 

The council said: "Crews are on standby throughout the Christmas and New Year to ensure we can keep people moving, especially at a time when people will be travelling to see friends and family."

Sandwell and Dudley Councils have also announced that their gritters are on overnight calls, with Sandwell gritters being on '24-hour calls' until the end of March. 

A Sandwell Council spokesperson said: "Our gritting crews are now on 24-hour call from mid-November until the end of March – ready to go out whenever we need them, night or day. They will be heading out this evening (Friday) at 7pm and as needed over the coming days.

“Every time the gritters go out, they cover around 260 miles of Sandwell's roads, each time putting down around 55 tonnes of salt."

Dudley Council said that their team of dedicated gritters will 'continue to monitor the situation' and 'react to conditions' throughout the weekend. 

The council also offered advice, asking everyone to check ahead before travelling and to stay up to date with the latest forecasts. 

Councillor Damian Corfield, cabinet member for highways and environment, said: "Our gritting crews will be out overnight tonight and we will continue to monitor and react to conditions throughout the weekend. 

"There could be some travel disruption and as always we are asking people to check the latest forecasts and plan journeys ahead of setting out, driving carefully to the conditions.

"Waste care crews are hoping to continue with replacement collections tomorrow, as we make the last of our catch-up recycling and waste collections from the New Year period. We would ask any residents who normally have a Friday collection to ensure bins and recycling are out at the kerbside in the morning."

Walsall Council gritters are also on standby, with services teams being on alert during the cold snap.

A Walsall Council spokesperson said: "Walsall Council's winter service team will be working throughout the coming cold snap.

"We'll be doing all that we can to keep the road network safe and encourage residents and visitors to the borough to be mindful of road conditions and make sure their vehicle is ready for winter before they venture out and about.”

Lastly, Wolverhampton Council have announced that their gritters will be on hand to keep the roads safe, with teams already operating on priority one and two roads in the city. 

A Wolverhampton Council spokesperson said: "With an amber weather warning for snow and ice in place for the region, including Wolverhampton, this weekend the council's gritting team is at the ready to help keep roads safe.

"Our crews have been busy in the new year and are out again tonight (Friday) treating priority one and two roads in the city.

"We urge everyone to please take extra care while driving and allow time for your journeys."

To stay up to date with the latest weather forecasts, visit the Met Office website.