When is the cold snap across the West Midlands and Staffordshire set to end? We take a look at the forecast

Large parts of the region have experienced freezing conditions, with temperatures dipping below 0°C (32°F) on a regular basis and hitting as -5°C (23°F) on higher areas.

It follows the wintry trend from across the country, which on Wednesday night saw England, Wales and Northern Ireland’s coldest night of the winter, with -11.2°C (11.84°F), -7.9°C (17.7°F) and -7.2°C (19.04°F)respectfully. -12.4°C (9.68°F) was recorded at Tulloch Bridge in Inverness-shire, not quite as low as the winter low of -13.3°C (8.06°F) recorded on the early hours of Monday.

Throughout Thursday, wintry hazards had continued for some over the next 24 hours, and while many places saw a day of dry and bright weather, it remained widely cold, with the Met Office forecasting another bitterly cold night, with a widespread hard frost expected across the UK. 

It was forecast to be the coldest night of the winter as well, with -16°C (3.2°F) possible over snow cover in the Highlands of Scotland and high ground in northern England, but the Met Office also said that the weather was looking set to change from Friday onwards.

A spokesman for the Met Office said: "Friday will see the start of a change to our weather, with milder air attempting to move in from the southwest through the morning. 

"However, this frontal system will make only limited progress, bringing some patchy rain, sleet and snow across parts of southwest Britain. Amounts of snow are uncertain – probably small and confined to high ground, but there is a risk of icy surfaces in places. 

"Much of the rest of the UK will have another dry and bright day but remaining very cold, with few freezing fog patches lasting all day."

The Met Office said a change to milder conditions is expected through the weekend, with the north of the UK first to see this, and temperatures were expected to reach as high as 10°C (50°F) by Tuesday.

Deputy Chief Meteorologist, Mark Sidaway, said: “On Sunday and through Monday south-westerly winds will bring some rain and much milder temperature across the northern UK. 

"With milder temperatures and rain moving in, a rapid thaw of lying snow could cause a few issues. Further south it will remain colder and dry for longer and here freezing fog could cause some problems on Saturday.

“Looking further ahead high pressure will bring more settled conditions to most of the UK through next week, occasional fronts will glance the northwest of Scotland bringing rain at times and breezier conditions, but it will remain mild.”