Drivers have been urged by the Highways Agency not to travel unless their journey is essential, after severe winter weather was predicted in the Midlands.
The Met Office said today that it is expecting a period of heavy snow to develop across parts of South West England, early on Thursday, extending to the Midlands, London, and South East of England and East Anglia during Thursday morning. The band of snow will continue to push into northern England by the end of the morning and continue through the afternoon and evening.
Up to 5cm of snow could fall in the Midlands with as much as 15cm in higher and exposed locations.
John Hutchinson, forecaster for MeteoGroup UK, said the Midlands could be one of the worst hit areas of the UK.
"The precipitation that is coming in overnight - in the South West of England - Devon, Cornwall and Dorset - will, I think, mostly be rain and sleet but on the highest ground there, over parts of the moors, there may well be some snow.
"As it moves into Wales, the Midlands and parts of southern England, then we are looking at it mostly turning into snow."
The worst-hit areas are expected to be hillier parts of the region.
The forecasts come as temperatures in the Midlands plunged to around minus 9C (16F).
The Highways Agency has 400 salt spreading vehicles which will be out overnight treating motorways and all purpose trunk roads.
