'Polar air' set to bring snow, hail and thunder to the region

Market Square in Nottingham in 2013 Credit: PA

A "polar air mass" sweeping the country is set to bring snow, hail andthunder to the Midlands.

Severe warnings for ice have been issued and forecasters say the cold polar air mass will bring with it a series of showers, mainly across the west of the UK.

The Met Office urged people to take care this weekend as it warned of ice,strong winds and heavy rain.

Parts of the country woke up to snow on Friday and more is expected on higher ground - with one centimetre to three centimetres possible on hills above 200m, while land above 400m could see more than five centimetres.

Yellow weather warnings have been issued for ice have been issued for both the East and West Midlands.

The RAC warned motorists to be prepared for the weather.