Shropshire and Mid Wales was shivering today as an Arctic blast sent temperatures plummeting – and weather forecasters are warning worse is to come with temperatures as low as -10C (14F) tonight.

Snow and black ice covered much of the region this morning, causing chaos for motorists as many people returned to work and school for the first time since the festive break.

John Warner, Shropshire Star weatherman, said: “Temperatures plummeted to -5C (23F) during the night, but as the snow arrived the temperature rose above freezing (0C or 32F). When the snow cleared it dropped to -3C (27F), which may have caused any problems on the roads.

“We may have an odd light snow shower today, but the worst will be the very severe frost tonight when we will feel the lowest temperature so far this winter which might drop down to -10C (14F).”

Motorists faced slow journeys to work with the A41 through Albrighton and Cosford at a standstill during this morning’s rush hour, while drivers were diverted after a crash on the B5062 close to Waters Upton at 8.25am.

Shrewsbury escaped the heaviest snow, but the county town was hit by the freezing conditions, leaving roads treacherous.

One driver skidded between Cound Moor and Cressage shortly after 6am today, and crashed into a telegraph pole which then fell on to his vehicle. The driver was shaken, but unhurt.

Motorists in Adderley faced delays when a two-car smash left the A529 closed. Police diverted traffic before reopening the road between Rectory Lane and the A525 Whitchurch Road junction just after 8.30am.

Firefighters were called to a flooded bungalow in Whitchurch after a man arrived home from a trip away to find his water pipes had frozen, causing a copper connection to burst. Sub-officer Mike Beach, from Whitchurch fire station, said water damaged carpets, a three-piece suite and the airing cupboard of the property in Black Park Road.

In South Shropshire, untreated roads on high ground were virtually impassable for anything other than 4×4 vehicles.

This afternoon’s race meeting at Ludlow Racecourse has been called off.

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By Kirsty Smallman