TRAFFIC is disrupted and schools have shut as the area is hit by a blanket of snow.

And the forecast is for the snow to keep falling for hours, mainly light now but getting heavy again nearer lunchtime.

Traffic has slowed to a crawl on most roads and there are delays along the M5 because of shunts caused by the difficult driving conditions.

Many parents are facing having to unexpectedly look after their children as schools suddenly shut.

In some cases schools tried to stay open, parents took their children in but were then told the school had to close and they needed to turn around and pick their children up again.

Black Country schools closed today include:

The Wordsley School, Wordsley

Quinton Church Primary School in Quinton

The Brier School, Kingswinford

Temple Meadow Primary School in Cradley Heath

The Brierley Hill art and design campus of BMet/Stourbridge College 

Wollescote Primary School, Wollescote 

Cotwall End Primary School, Sedgley 

Dudley Wood Primary School, Dudley Wood

Halesowen CE Primary School, Halesowen

Kates Hill Primary School, Dudley 

Netherbrook Primary School, Dudley 

Sledmere Primary School, Dudley 

Brook Primary School, Wordsley

Belle Vue Primary School, Wordsley

Brierley Hill Primary School, Brierley Hill

Caslon Primary School, Halesowen

Cradley CE Primary School, Cradley

Dawley Brook Primary School, Kingswinford

Ellowes Hall Sport College, Lower Gornal

Ham Dingle Primary School, Stourbridge

Hillcrest School and Community College, Netherton

Hob Green Primary School, Pedmore

Leasowes High School, Halesowen

Manor Way Primary School, Halesowen

Milking Bank Primary School, Dudley

Mount Pleasant Primary School, Quarry Bank

Netherton CE Primary School, Netherton

Newfield Park Primary School, Halesowen

Northfield Road Primary School, Netherton

Pedmore Technology College, Pedmore

Ridgewood High School, Wollaston

St Mary's CE Primary School, Kingswinford

Straits Primary School, Lower Gornal

Sycamore Short Stay School, Dudley

Tenterfields Primary School, Halesowen

The High Arcal School, Sedgley

The Kingswinford School, Kingswinford

The Old Park School, Brierley Hill

The Ridge Primary School, Stourbridge

The Sutton School, Dudley

Thorns Community College, Quarry Bank

Withymoor Primary School, Brierley Hill

For the latest local weather forecast, click here