Summary

  • Hundreds of schools remained shut on Friday after heavy snow overnight

  • There were problems on motorways and other roads in the West Midlands

  • Birmingham Airport runway reopened after flights disruption

  • The Army were brought in to assist in the Staffordshire Moorlands

  • A number of visitor attractions were closed due to the severe weather

  1. Flights resume at Birmingham Airportpublished at 10:26 Greenwich Mean Time 9 March 2023

    Birmingham AirportImage source, Curly Claire / BBC Weather Watchers

    Flights at Birmingham Airport have resumed after being paused earlier for the runway to be cleared of snow and ice.

    Further snowfall is expected, the airport says, and advises passengers to keep checking social media for updates.

    It also asked travellers to leave extra time for their journeys.

  2. Some 600 tonnes of salt spread on roadspublished at 10:17 Greenwich Mean Time 9 March 2023

    BBC Radio Shropshire

    Councillor Richard MarshallImage source, Richard Marshall/Shropshire Council

    The councillor in charge of highways at Shropshire Council says gritters have been out non-stop since yesterday afternoon. Richard Marshall told BBC Radio Shropshire that 600 tonnes of salt had been spread on the road network since 16:00 on Wednesday. Disruption's set to continue in parts of the county through the day, with the Met Office issuing a new amber warning for snow and ice covering Oswestry and neighbouring parts of Wales.

  3. They're top dogs, not hot dogspublished at 10:08 Greenwich Mean Time 9 March 2023

    People arrive on the first day of the Crufts Dog Show at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in BirminghamImage source, PA Media

    Top dog competition Crufts is kicking off today at the NEC in Birmingham and the hounds are having to wrap up warm.

    The show celebrates dogs at their finest, so no doubt the blow-dryers will be poised to de-ice the bedraggled pooches.

    We'll be bringing you more coverage of the competition, which runs until Sunday, including this story of a visually impaired woman who hopes to win big with her dog Bertie.

    People arrive on the first day of the Crufts Dog Show at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in BirminghamImage source, PA Media
    People arrive on the first day of the Crufts Dog Show at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in BirminghamImage source, PA Media
  4. City bin collections suspendedpublished at 09:56 Greenwich Mean Time 9 March 2023

    Coventry

    Bin collections in Coventry have been suspended for the day.

    "A further assessment will be made and we hope to get back out again as conditions improve," said the city council.

  5. Tips on driving in snowpublished at 09:48 Greenwich Mean Time 9 March 2023

    Some more advice on how to stay safe in your car in these conditions.

    Use second gear to pull away, if you drive a manual vehicle. Maintain the right speed for the conditions - not too fast so that you risk losing control, but not so slow that you risk losing vital momentum. And leave even more space behind the car in front than you usually would.

    If you get stuck, do not try to keep moving if the wheels spin - it will only dig you in deeper. Use a shovel to clear snow from under your tyres. Pour cat litter, sand or gravel in front of the wheels to help get traction.

    Read some detailed tips here

    GraphicImage source, bbc
  6. Your pictures: Serious sledging and monster snowballspublished at 09:36 Greenwich Mean Time 9 March 2023

    Vanessa Pearce
    BBC News

    You've been sharing some of your snow pictures with us, and you can get in touch via email, Twitter , externaland Facebook., external

    Wilfie with snowball
    Image caption,

    Wilfie in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, had time to make a snowman before leaving for school

    Jack with snowball
    Image caption,

    Jack in Shifnall, Shropshire, made a monster snowball

    Henry and Tom
    Image caption,

    Henry and Tom in Balsall Common say they're looking forward to some serious sledging later

    Elise and Anouska doing the school run in Stourbridge
    Image caption,

    Elise and Anouska doing the school run in Stourbridge

  7. Flights delayed at Birmingham Airport while runway clearedpublished at 09:22 Greenwich Mean Time 9 March 2023
    Breaking

    Flights are being paused at Birmingham Airport while the runway is cleared of snow and ice.

    The airport said it remained open while the safety critical work was done.

    Snow on the runway at Birmingham AirportImage source, Helen Earth / BBC Weather Watchers

    There is minimal disruption to arrivals and departures according to the airport's website, external, however passengers have been advised to allow extra time for their journeys.

  8. Amber weather warning to affect parts of Shropshirepublished at 09:13 Greenwich Mean Time 9 March 2023

    The Met Office has just issued another amber weather warning for snow that affects western areas of Shropshire, including Oswestry, and much of north and mid Wales.

    Amber weather warning affecting Wales and parts of ShropshireImage source, Met Office

    Heavy snow is expected to cause significant disruption including power cuts and travel delays and cancellations.

    There's also a good chance some rural communities could be cut off, the Met Office said.

    The amber warning is in addition to the yellow warning that affects the wider West Midlands and is due to be in place until 09:00 GMT on Friday.

    For more information and advice for staying safe, visit the Met Office website, external.

  9. Man suffers life-changing injuries in M5 crashpublished at 09:05 Greenwich Mean Time 9 March 2023

    Oprah Flash
    BBC News, West Midlands

    A man has suffered life-changing injuries after a crash involving an HGV lorry, car and a van on the M5.

    Image of snow on the M5Image source, National Highways

    The northbound carriageway at junction 4 remains shut following the crash, which happened just after midnight on Thursday.

    West Mercia Police said a man from one of the vehicles had been taken to hospital following the crash.

    Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service confirmed crews had been called to the scene shortly after midnight.

    A spokesperson for the fire service said its crews had found three people trapped by their injuries in the car.

    All lanes of the carriageway where the crash took place are shut while police carry out investigation work.

    The force has appealed for witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage to come forward.

  10. Ruff weather? Not everyone mindspublished at 08:56 Greenwich Mean Time 9 March 2023

    BBC Weather Watchers

    Snow's not so bad when you have a warm coat of fur - our Weather Watchers have been sharing their photos of pets enjoying the dusting.

    Harry the Springer looks to be on snow patrol in Wigmore, Herefordshire.

    A dog in the snow in WigmoreImage source, Harry the Springer / BBC Weather Watchers

    And in Longbridge and Redditch, these two are wondering where their gardens have gone:

    A dog playing in the snow in LongbridgeImage source, AstroStace / BBC Weather Watchers
    A dog in the snow in RedditchImage source, Redditch Rambler / BBC Weather Watchers

    This terrier in Staffordshire is walking in a winter wonderland, just waiting for someone to throw them a snowball.

    A dog in the snow in Milford, StaffordshireImage source, Ade / BBC Weather Watchers

    Not everyone's having a purrfect day though - this mog in Brinklow looks like they'd rather be curled up indoors.

    A cat seeking shelter from the snow in Brinklow, WarwickshireImage source, Big Hill / BBC Weather Watchers

    We love seeing your pictures - thanks to our Weather Watchers for sharing theirs.

    To see more or to get involved yourself, visit the BBC Weather Watchers page.

  11. Golf course only open to snow angelspublished at 08:40 Greenwich Mean Time 9 March 2023

    Kings Norton Golf Club says the only people playing today are snow angels and a snowman as the snow causes closure.

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  12. Gritters working to keep roads open in Worcestershirepublished at 08:32 Greenwich Mean Time 9 March 2023

    Several crashes around Redditch and Bromsgrove have been reported this morning, says West Mercia Police, with snow settling on top of already icy roads.

    Gritters are working to keep roads open, says the council, but drivers are facing challenging conditions.

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  13. Birmingham bin collections disrupted and schools closedpublished at 08:23 Greenwich Mean Time 9 March 2023

    Louise Hancock
    Newsreader, BBC Radio WM

    Bin collections are set to be disrupted in Birmingham today, with many schools also closed to pupils.

    Victoria School and Victoria College in Northfield won't be open.

    Also affected is Paganel Primary School, in Selly Oak.

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  14. Roads shut and heavy traffic reported on routes across regionpublished at 08:09 Greenwich Mean Time 9 March 2023

    More roads across the West Midlands region are now being affected by heavy snow.

    National Highways has asked drivers to avoid travelling if possible.

    • A44 in Herefordshire is impassable between Bromyard and Knightwick
    • A465 is shut from Burley Gate to Bromyard
    • Also in Herefordshire, the A49 is only just passable at Hope-under-Dinmore
    • Snow has also closed the A4117 Ludlow Road at Clee Hill, in Shropshire, from Tenbury Road to Catherton Road
    • But the A458 at Much Wenlock, also in Shropshire, is now passable with snow cleared
    • Traffic is also heavier than normal on the M6 southbound before junction eight for the M5 - with 45-minute delays reported heading back to the junction with the M54
  15. More Herefordshire school closurespublished at 07:49 Greenwich Mean Time 9 March 2023

    Nicola Goodwin
    Herefordshire Reporter, BBC Hereford & Worcester

    Snow is coming down thick and fast in Herefordshire where more school closures have been announced.

    Westfield School, Brookfield Special School and the Steiner Academy in Much Dewchurch have been added to the list.

    Parents can check on the council website which other schools are affected. , external

    Snowy road near Presteigne, on the border of Herefordshire and Powys
  16. What's an amber warning?published at 07:46 Greenwich Mean Time 9 March 2023

    The Met Office has issued an amber weather warning affecting an area between Stoke-on-Trent and Durham which is currently in force.

    An amber warning means there is a likelihood that severe weather will disrupt your plans, with a possibility of travel delays, road and rail closures, and power cuts.

    There is also a potential risk to life and property.

    People are advised to consider changing plans and think about whether there is anything they can do ahead of time stop minimise the impact of severe weather and themselves or their property.

    In Staffordshire, higher ground north of Stoke-on-Trent is most likely to be affected by the severe weather, the Met Office forecasts.

  17. More school closures announcedpublished at 07:33 Greenwich Mean Time 9 March 2023

    Dozens of school closures have been announced in Shropshire.

    Currently 31 primary schools and 11 secondary schools will be shut to pupils.

    You can check which ones are affected on Shropshire Council's website. , external

    Sandwell Council has also just updated its school closures due to snow.

    Three primary schools and one high school will be closed today.

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  18. Your pictures: Snow and ice across the West Midlandspublished at 07:25 Greenwich Mean Time 9 March 2023

    BBC Weather Watchers

    BBC Weather Watchers have been out capturing images of the snow across the West Midlands.

    TiptonImage source, Cazbar
    Image caption,

    Cazbar posted this image of Tipton, in the Black Country.

    HillmortonImage source, PaulaMaria
    Image caption,

    This was the view of PaulaMaria in Hillmorton, Warwickshire earlier.

    LeekImage source, Videoman
    Image caption,

    Videoman captured this image in Leek, Staffordshire

    DawleyImage source, Shropshire Liam
    Image caption,

    This was taken in Dawley, Telford and Wrekin in Shropshire

    Lickey End, WorcestershireImage source, SnapHappy
    Image caption,

    This is what Lickey End, Worcestershire, looks like this morning, as posted by SnapHappy.

  19. Road impassable due to snow and icepublished at 07:09 Greenwich Mean Time 9 March 2023

    Snow across the West Midlands is starting to affect roads, with the A458 impassable in both directions on the edge of Much Wenlock in Shropshire.

    The road is closed at Harley Bank, from the B4371 Stretton Road to Homer Road.

  20. Some bus and coach services disruptedpublished at 07:04 Greenwich Mean Time 9 March 2023

    Unsafe road conditions are causing delays and diversions to some bus services.

    Passengers are being advised to check with providers before setting out.

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