As the region prepares for Storm Goretti, here's when the experts say Shropshire can expect the snow to start.

An amber weather warning will come into force at 8pm this evening (Thursday, January 8), with experts warning residents to prepare for heavy snow, rain and strong winds brought in by Storm Goretti.

Met Office Chief Forecaster Neil Armstrong called the storm a "multi-hazard event" with the most significant impacts from snow expected in parts of Wales and the Midlands.

Here, accumulations of 5 to 10cm are likely widely, with some places seeing between 15 to 30cm - especially on hills.

The latest weather forecast, published by the Met Office at 4pm, said: "Heavy rain turning to sleet and then wet snow this evening, with the snow accumulating quickly.

"Significant falls of snow are possible, especially over higher ground. Windy and cold with icy conditions possible before the rain reverts to rain/sleet later. Minimum temperature 0 °C."

UKHSA Amber cold weather health alerts also remain in place for all regions of England until January 11.

Network Rail has warned that reduced timetables will affect routes across the West Midlands and neighbouring regions, with further disruption possible overnight.

National Highways are also warning that snow could make driving conditions hazardous from 6pm Thursday through to Friday morning.

Public urged to take care

Authorities are urging people to avoid unnecessary travel, check transport updates before setting out, and allow extra time for essential journeys.

Drivers are advised to prepare for poor visibility, icy roads and possible delays, while pedestrians are warned to take care on slippery pavements.

Conditions are expected to improve on Friday morning, but disruption may continue into the day as services recover and snow clears.

5pm: The first flakes are expected in areas of Shropshire, including Telford, Ludlow and Oswestry, with experts predicting the storm will start as sleet showers. Average temperature 3C.

6pm: Sleet will begin to turn to snow across the county as temperatures begin to drop. Average temperature 2C.

7pm: Heavy snow expected in areas including most of South Shropshire, Telford and towns close to the border of Wales.

8pm - midnight: Heavy snow expected to continue throughout the night, with temperatures falling to -1C.

1am onwards: Snow is expected to turn to sleet and rain in the early hours of Friday, with forecasters predicting rain will continue throughout the day.

Schools across Shropshire have announced they will be closed on Tuesday as the cold weather snap continues to bite

A school in Telford won't welcome back pupils for the New Year tomorrow as planned.

Haberdashers' Abraham Darby in Woodside, Telford has seen its heating system malfunction so the school is definitely closed on Tuesday.

Schools across Shropshire were forced to close their doors on Monday after snowfall on Sunday night, with freezing ice also making conditions difficult for motorists.

Ten schools closed across Shropshire on Monday with nine across Telford and Wrekin as pupils had an unexpected extra day off.

It came as Shropshire awoke under a blanket of white snow once again, and the Met Office has issued further snow and ice warnings for Tuesday with a maximum temperature of five degrees celsius expected in the county.

It means schools are at risk again of being closed but the advice from Shropshire Council and Telford & Wrekin Council is to check with the individual establishments.

A post on the Telford & Wrekin Council website said: "The decision on whether or not to close a school/nursery is made by the individual head teacher and governing body of that school/nursery. Any queries should, therefore, be directed to the individual school/nursery.

"Any relevant information regarding impact on Council services – such as roads and or schools/nursery - will be issued to the media and displayed prominently on the front page of this website."

This Evening and Tonight:

Temperatures quickly falling below freezing this evening with a widespread and severe frost forming. Clear and starry skies overnight and staying generally dry. An isolated wintry shower remains possible, mainly towards the north. Icy patches likely for some. Minimum temperature -8 °C.

Tuesday:

A very cold start with another severe frost. Gradually turning cloudier albeit with occasional bright spells. Perhaps a little rain or sleet later, especially during the evening. Still feeling cold. Maximum temperature 4 °C.

Outlook for Wednesday to Friday:

Largely dry to start Wednesday but turning unsettled thereafter. Periods of heavy rain, and perhaps hill snow, possibly bringing some travel disruption at times. Turning windier with gales possible later.

To check with Shropshire Council on the latest school closures go to https://next.shropshire.gov.uk/schools-and-education/school-closures/

Steve Hinks says he is excited by Telford Town's "ambition" and long-term plans after being appointed as the club's new manager.

Hinks arrives after from step four non-league side Coleshill Town, where he was assistant to Harry Harris.

He fills the vacancy left by Matthew Boswell, who departed Telford to become manager of Shawbury United.

Hinks has also been part of the management teams at Walsall Wood, Rushall Olympic and Hednesford Town in recent years, the latter being where he worked closely with Telford Town chairman Hayden Dando.

Telford currently sit third in the North West Counties League Division One South, 10 points behind leaders Runcorn Town.

Hinks said: "I’m really excited to be joining Telford Town at this stage of its journey. This is a club with real momentum, strong foundations and a clear vision for where it wants to go.

"I’ve worked at a number of levels in the game and what stood out to me here is the ambition matched with a genuine plan. I’ve worked with Ade before and know him well whilst the management team around me is one that I am excited to work with above all I’m looking forward to getting started, working with the players and helping drive the club forward."

A club statement said Telford are now entering an "important new chapter both on and off the pitch," with Hinks joining as part of a long-term project.

Hinks helped Walsall Wood gain promotion from the Midland Premier League to step four non-league football and has also had spells at Tamworth, Nuneaton Borough, Atherstone Town, Stafford Rangers, Sutton Coldfield Town, Gresley Rovers and Coalville Town.

Shaun Ralph and Graham Jones will serve as Hinks' assistants, while Paul Davis joins as a first team coach.

Telford Town chairman Hayden Dando said: "Steve is someone I know well and trust, and his experience across the non-league pyramid speaks for itself.

"This is a strong appointment that brings leadership, football knowledge and ambition into the club. Just as importantly, Steve understands what we are building here and has chosen to be part of that journey. With the management team now in place, we are fully focused on pushing the club forward."

Hinks and his management team will take charge after Telford's home clash with Ashville. Coach Carl Probert, alongside head of youth development Ray Lindsay and women's team manager Elys Brooks-Davies, have overseen the side since Boswell's departure.

The Met Office has extended its yellow weather warning across all of Shropshire as experts predict more snowfall is on the way.

A yellow weather warning for snow and ice will be in place across Shropshire from 3pm on Sunday, January 4.

Previously, the warning from the Met Office covered some of the county - stretching from Wales across the border and ending around the Telford area.

But now, residents all across Shropshire are being told to prepare for disruption by the warning which will be in place until midday on Monday, January 5.

Current forecasts predict snow would begin to fall in some areas around 2pm and was expected to continue until the early hours.

Around 1 to 3cm was expected to fall in many places by Monday morning.

A spokesperson for the Met Office said: "Snow showers are expected to push further inland across Wales, parts of northwest England, the West Midlands and southwest England during Sunday evening.

"Along windward coasts, rain and sleet is more likely, but inland showers will fall as snow.

"Whilst not all locations in the warning areas will see snow, around 1 to 3 cm is expected to fall in many places by Monday morning, with the potential for 5 to 8 cm to build up in a few locations, particularly across inland and higher parts of Wales. Icy patches are likely to form widely."

Further snowfall is also expected on Tuesday, January 6, and Wednesday, January 7, with forecasts of "light snow and light winds" expected to be widespread across the region.

An amber cold-health alert is also in place across the West Midlands until January 9, with experts predicting temperatures could drop to -5C in some places on Sunday and Monday.

Dr Agostinho Sousa, Head of Extreme Events and Health Protection at UKHSA, said: “As the colder weather sets in it is vital to check in on friends, family and neighbours that are most vulnerable.

“The forecast temperatures can have a serious impact on the health of some people, leading to increased risk of heart attacks, strokes and chest infections, particularly for individuals over the age of 65 and those with pre-existing health conditions.”

Keep updated with weather warnings, advice and predictions online at: weather.metoffice.gov.uk

The new owners of a Telford retail park are planning to make space for huge super shops, according to an application lodged with planners.

British Land purchased Telford Forge Retail Park at the end of 2024 and since then has been looking at its strategy to secure the long-term occupation of units at the site.

London-based agent Montagu Evans has told the planners at Telford & Wrekin Council that interest in retail park investment is coming from the larger retail operators.

Existing tenants include Sainsbury’s, Next, Decathlon, TK Maxx, Superdrug, Curry’s, B&M, Nuffield Health, McDonald’s and Five Guys.

The retail park off Colliers Way, in Old Park, currently has a cap of 5,574 sq m (60,000 sq ft) for any single occupier but the the agent has applied to raise that to 6,503 sqm (70,000 sq ft).

Sainsbury’s is not limited by the cap.

“The new owners have been engaged in ongoing discussions with a number of prospective occupiers at the site,” the agents wrote.

“Recent market activity and enquiries have indicated that interest is increasingly being driven by larger format retail operators who typically require greater internal floor areas to support their operational models.”

The agents call the application ‘modest’ and say the overall 37,000 sq m (398,264 sq ft) of floor space across the park in total would not be affected.

The planning agent added that the proposal would not amend the range of goods that can be sold.

“Rather, it aims to enhance the flexibility of the existing floorspace at the site to meet the needs of potential occupiers and support the long-term occupation and economic viability of the retail park,” the agents wrote.

“By enabling the site to adapt more effectively to current and future market demand, the proposal will help secure viable, long-term tenancies and ensure the continued productive use of the site.

“This in turn will support local employment opportunities, maintain investment in the area, and ensure the site continues to make a positive contribution to the local economy.”

A period of public consulation on the plan has begun on the council’s planning portal (reference number TWC/2025/0865).