Residents across Shropshire began their week under a thick, icy blanket as heavy snowfall and plunging temperatures swept through the county, prompting widespread disruption on roads and the closure of dozens of schools. The wintry conditions, which began late Sunday, January 4, 2026, intensified overnight, leaving towns like Oswestry and Telford shimmering in white but facing a cascade of logistical headaches.
According to BBC Shropshire, Monday morning greeted locals with yellow weather warnings and the prospect of temperatures dropping to -3°C later in the day. The Met Office, ever vigilant, cautioned: "Snowy, wintry weather can cause delays and make driving conditions dangerous. Keep yourself and others safe by planning your route, giving yourself extra time for your journey. Check for road closures or delays to public transport and amend plans if necessary." That advice proved prescient, as commuters soon found Jiggers Bank into the Ironbridge Gorge partially blocked, with slow-moving traffic snaking through the icy bends.
The impact on education was immediate and widespread. As of 8:30 a.m. Monday, Shropshire Council confirmed that 10 of its schools had closed their doors due to the weather, a number matched by Telford and Wrekin Council, which also announced delayed starts for two additional schools. The closures spanned all levels: St Martins Primary and Longlands Primary School were among the affected primaries, while St Martins Secondary and Grove School joined the list of shuttered secondary institutions. Woodlands Special School in Wem and Marches School in Oswestry also suspended classes, citing both hazardous conditions and the inability of many staff members to reach the sites safely.
But the disruption didn’t stop there. As the cold snap persisted into Tuesday, January 6, Shropshire Council reported an escalation: 19 schools across the area were closed, with additional institutions forced to delay openings or shut down due to heating failures. Among those affected were Adderley and Moreton Say C of E Primary Schools, Stoke-On-Tern Primary School, Norton in Hales CE Nursery and Primary School, Hinstock Primary School, Cheswardine Primary and Nursery School, Tilstock CE Primary School, Criftins Church of England Primary School and Nursery, Market Drayton Infant & Nursery School, Woore Primary, Ellesmere Primary School, Market Drayton Junior School, and the previously mentioned St Martins and Longlands. Secondary schools including Lakeland Academy, Thomas Adams, Grove School Market Drayton, The Marches School in Oswestry, and Sir John Talbot's School also remained closed. Woodlands Special School in Wem continued its closure, underscoring the severity of the ongoing conditions.
In Telford, the situation was further complicated by infrastructure woes. Haberdashers' Abraham Darby in Woodside announced a full closure on Tuesday due to a malfunctioning electronic heating system, leaving the building without heat as temperatures outside hovered well below freezing. Burton Borough School faced similar issues, reporting closure due to heating and boiler failures. Meanwhile, Holy Trinity Academy opted for a delayed start, opening at 9:30 a.m. with restricted access to the car park, and Telford Langley School was shuttered entirely due to the bad weather.
The local authorities emphasized the autonomy of head teachers and governing bodies in making closure decisions. As stated on the Telford & Wrekin Council website: “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.”
Parents and students weren’t the only ones affected. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued amber cold weather alerts for all of England, with warnings set to remain in place until Friday, January 9, 2026. The agency highlighted the health risks posed by the chill, especially for vulnerable populations. The Met Office forecast for the West Midlands painted a stark picture: “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.” For Tuesday, a “very cold start with another severe frost” was expected, with maximum temperatures struggling to reach 4°C or 5°C in some parts of the county.
Looking ahead, the outlook remained unsettled. The Met Office warned that while Wednesday might begin largely dry, heavier rain and even hill snow were likely to arrive later in the week, potentially bringing further travel disruption and the risk of gales. For those hoping for a quick thaw and return to normalcy, the message was clear: keep the winter coats and snow boots handy.
For many, the closures and travel delays were more than just an inconvenience—they were a reminder of the challenges rural and semi-rural communities face when winter weather hits hard. Some schools, like St Martins Primary and Secondary, specifically cited safety concerns and insufficient staff able to reach the premises as the primary reasons for closure. Others, such as Marches School, emphasized their responsibility to “ensure the safety of our staff, children and young people.”
The combination of snow, ice, and sub-zero temperatures also led to a flurry of advice from local authorities and health officials. The UKHSA’s amber alert underscored the importance of checking on elderly or vulnerable neighbors, ensuring homes are adequately heated, and taking extra precautions when traveling. The Met Office’s repeated warnings about icy roads and the risk of accidents were echoed throughout the region’s radio stations and social media feeds, as residents shared images of snow-covered streets and frosted fields.
Despite the challenges, there was a certain beauty—and even a sense of community spirit—to be found amid the disruption. Social media was awash with photos of children building snowmen, dogs frolicking in the drifts, and familiar landmarks transformed by the snowfall. Yet, beneath the picturesque scenes, the logistical grind continued: parents scrambled to adjust work schedules, teachers prepared remote learning materials where possible, and local councils worked overtime to keep roads passable and information up to date.
For those seeking the latest updates on school openings and closures, Shropshire Council advised checking their website regularly. As the week unfolded, all eyes remained on the skies—and the thermometers—as residents braced for whatever the next wave of winter might bring.
In a region accustomed to unpredictable weather, this cold snap served as a potent reminder of both nature’s beauty and its power to disrupt daily life. As the snow lingered and temperatures refused to budge, the people of Shropshire demonstrated resilience, adaptability, and—despite the challenges—a dash of good humor in the face of winter’s icy grip.
