A 'SEVERE weather event' alert for snow and ice has been issued by National Highways for the West Midlands.
But the good news is forecasters are currently predicting the Cotswolds is likely to dodge the worst of the weather.
National Highways, which is responsible for motorways and major A-roads, has issued the warning that comes into force from 10am today.
It follows yellow weather warnings from the Met Office for snow, covering the West Midlands, from 10am today.
A further warning for ice comes into force from 8pm tonight.
The National Highways warning says: "There is a severe weather alert for snow affecting the North of England and the West Midlands between 10am, January 6 and 6pm January 7.
"Road users intending to travel through the affected regions are being advised to check the weather forecast and road conditions before travelling.
We have issued a severe weather alert for forecasted heavy snowfall in the North of England and the West Midlands from 10am today 06/01 until 6pm on Friday 07/01 .
— National Highways (@NationalHways) January 6, 2022
Stay #WeatherAware by following @metoffice and keeping up to date with the forecast. https://t.co/POnhUXHdCE pic.twitter.com/lm9yIYjk7X
"National Highways is working closely with the Met Office in monitoring the weather conditions and due to the forecast have issued a severe alert for snow.
"Please take extra care and allow plenty of extra journey time. In accordance with current guidelines, please consider whether your journey is absolutely necessary before setting off."
The Met Office's warning says: "Snow may cause some travel disruption over higher routes.
"Some roads and railways likely to be affected with longer journey times by road, bus and train services.
"Frequent sleet, hail and snow showers may lead to some disruption to travel during Thursday night and Friday morning."
But despite the cold start this morning, with temperatures below freezing, the current forecast for the Cotswolds is we will see light rain showers as temperatures reach a high of around 6C in the early evening today.
Thursday night into Friday morning is expected to be a warmer night with temperatures at around 3C.
And on Friday the current forecast is again light rain showers and a gentle breeze, with temperatures reaching a peak of 5C.
Saturday's forecast is currently for heavy rain throughout the day, before becoming dry on Sunday into next week.
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