The new year has brought a severe bout of wintry weather to Birmingham, with the city and wider West Midlands region waking up to significant snowfall and facing ongoing disruption. The Met Office has issued a formal snow and ice warning, with temperatures forecast to plunge to a bitter -5°C overnight on Tuesday, 6th January 2026.
Met Office Warning and Forecast Details
The national weather service has alerted residents to hazardous conditions, predicting further snow flurries throughout the day. Up to 2cm of snow is expected to blanket parts of the city, compounding existing accumulations. The warning highlights risks of icy patches on untreated surfaces, leading to potentially treacherous travel conditions. Weather maps indicate the wintry showers hitting the West Midlands, with broader UK forecasts suggesting some regions could see up to 23 inches of snow.
Immediate Impacts: Travel and School Closures
The frosty blast has caused immediate chaos for the first major return to work after the holidays. Numerous schools across Birmingham have been forced to close due to the 'heavy snowfall' forecast and safety concerns. Parents are advised to check official school closure lists for Tuesday. Travel networks are experiencing widespread disruption, with live updates reporting issues on roads and public transport across the West Midlands as sub-zero temperatures take hold.
Key local attractions have also taken action. Drayton Manor theme park announced a temporary closure, stating that the safety of visitors and staff comes first. Another popular attraction shut its doors to focus on keeping its animals 'warm and safe' during the cold snap.
Public Advice and Community Response
In response to the severe conditions, authorities and organisations are issuing guidance. British Gas has urged UK households to follow 10 key tips to manage energy use and stay safe during the cold snap. Meanwhile, the legalities around missing work due to the snow have come into focus as employees grapple with difficult commutes.
The community has adapted, with home workers praising affordable solutions like a tiny £15 heater from Amazon noted for being 'cheap to run'. The dramatic weather shift has also sparked conversations, with the initial snowfall quickly followed by forecasts of a potential deluge, with predictions of up to 18.3mm of rain per hour later in the week.
As the Met Office's alert remains active, residents in Birmingham and the Black Country are being advised to stay updated on warnings, plan journeys carefully, and prepare for continued freezing conditions into the night.
