OUTBREAKS of sleet and snow are expected across the Black Country tonight.

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning, with 3cm to 8cm expected to fall throughout the night.

The snow is likely to accumulate easily, given the cold ground surfaces but should ease gradually through tomorrow morning (Wednesday January 21).

West Midlands Ambulance Service has urged people to take some simple precautions to stay safe during the wintry weather.

A spokesman said: “If you do have to go out make sure you wrap up warm and wear sensible footwear, helping to avoid slips, trips and falls.

“If the weather does take a turn for the worse, please avoid or delay any unnecessary journeys. If you really need to travel by road, make sure you allow extra time for your journey and be extra vigilant on icy and snow covered roads, ensuring you fully clear your car windows before travelling.”

Councillor Khurshid Ahmed, Dudley Council's cabinet member for transportation, said gritters would be out in force across the borough tonight.

He said: "Our gritting team, based at the council's Lister Road depot, will be on hand to work around the clock to keep almost 300 miles of road clear during any severe weather.

"We would ask people to park considerately along side roads to allow gritters to get along them.

"We have also made sure our network of 1,000 grit bins across the borough are well stocked for people to use."

Keep up-to-date with the weather news as it progresses here.