Cold snap end in sight as warmer weather forecast across West Midlands at start of week

Large parts of the region have experienced freezing conditions, with temperatures dipping below 0°C (32°F) on a regular basis and hitting as -5°C (23°F) on higher areas.

Throughout Thursday, wintry hazards had continued for some over the next 24 hours, and while many places saw a day of dry and bright weather, it remained widely cold, with a widespread hard frost and temperatures as low as -5°C (23°F)

While the Met Office has warned of scattered wintry showers which may lead to some icy patches and travel disruption on Friday, the national weather service has said a change to milder conditions is expected through the weekend, with the north of the UK first to see this, and temperatures were expected to reach as high as 10°C (50°F) by Tuesday.

Deputy Chief Meteorologist, Mark Sidaway, said: “On Sunday and through Monday south-westerly winds will bring some rain and much milder temperature across the northern UK. 

"With milder temperatures and rain moving in, a rapid thaw of lying snow could cause a few issues. Further south it will remain colder and dry for longer and here freezing fog could cause some problems on Saturday.

“Looking further ahead high pressure will bring more settled conditions to most of the UK through next week, occasional fronts will glance the northwest of Scotland bringing rain at times and breezier conditions, but it will remain mild.”

The forecast from the Met Office was for cold and icy weather overnight from Friday to Saturday, but with warmer and sunnier weather coming over the weekend, albeit with a chance of rain on Tuesday.

A spokesman for the Met Office said: "The forecast for Friday is dry and settled, but staying cold and frosty in places.

"It will be cold and frosty to start with icy stretches in places and patchy freezing fog, with plenty of sunny spells through the morning, before wispy high cloud thickens into the afternoon masking the brightest sunshine. 

"It will remain dry and cold with light winds with a maximum temperature of 1°C (33.8°F).

"Overnight, it will be another cold evening with a hard frost and icy stretches forming overnight and remaining dry with light winds, allowing freezing fog to develop in rural parts beneath clear skies and a minimum temperature of -4°C (24.8°F).

"Saturday will be dry with some sunny spells, although freezing fog and low cloud may linger in rural parts.

"It will still be rather cold with light winds and icy patches forming into the evening and a maximum temperature 3°C (37.4°F).

"The outlook for Sunday to Tuesday is for sunny spells on Sunday, but still rather cold, before turning milder next week, then windy and cloudy on Monday, with spells of rain, heavy at times, turning showery on Tuesday."