Shropshire and Mid Wales will be hit by the worst cold spell so far this winter – with the risk of snow, weather experts have said today. Experts say the big chill may last for several days.

Read the full story in today’s Shropshire Star – and check out our online seven-day weather forecast here

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Strong winds will move over the region, bringing temperatures as low as 2C (36F) in the day time and -4C (25F) at night.

John Warner, Shropshire Star weatherman, said the cold weather could last for the next week.

“We are certainly going to get pretty much colder over the next week with the cold winds coming in from north Russia,” he said.

“I expect there will be some snow. It will look like an old-fashioned set up – we’ve had so many years of mild winters and now we’ve got this high pressure which will draw in the cold air from Russia.

“Eventually by next Monday temperatures will be no higher than 2C (36F) during the day and -4C (25F) at night. It looks like being what I would call a decent wintry spell, but it’s not good news really as we’ve had quite a lot of cold weather this winter.”

People across Shropshire and Powys are being urged to wrap up and take extra care while driving as the freezing temperatures hit the area.

Ambulance and hospital bosses have urged people to call 999 only in a life-threatening situation.

Ambulances were left queueing outside the two county hospitals in the recent cold snap after people called them to deal with injuries suffered after falling on ice several hours earlier, rather than making their own way to the hospital.

Mr Warner said: “We will get some light rain and drizzle tonight and tomorrow. Tomorrow morning the rain should move back westwards.”