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Spells of prolonged and heavy rain are set to cause travel disruption across the West Midlands, the Met Office is warning.

Met OfficeCopyright: Met Office

Homes and businesses are also at risk of flooding, it said.

The wet weather is expected to affect the region from late on Tuesday into early Thursday as Storm Christoph affects the UK.

A yellow warning has been issued.

It will be a mild and cloudy day with brisk southwesterly winds and a few showers before heavier rain moves in later, with highs of 11°C (52°F).

BBCCopyright: BBC

Usain Salt, Professor Chris Gritty and Snowbi-Gone Kenobi are three of the names of Warwickshire's new gritters.

Warwickshire County CouncilCopyright: Warwickshire County Council

Like many local authorities, the county council asked the public in October to pick names for its new vehicles.

As well as the pun-heavy names, the council will also name two more vehicles after "particularly poignant" suggestions.

One will be Charlie Boy in memory of a boy who died from childhood cancer in 2017 and another, Grey13 Hero, after a former county council worker.

It'll be bright at times this morning but will turn mainly cloudy for most parts of the West Midlands later on. It will be mostly dry and breezy with a high of 7C (45F).

BBC Weather Watcher Billington_PhotoCopyright: BBC Weather Watcher Billington_Photo

This evening it should stay cloudy and breezy with some showers moving in from the south west. The rain will turn persistent in the first half of tonight before easing. Low: 6C (43F).

You can stay up-to-date with the latest weather forecast for your area by going to the BBC Weather website.

Today we're going to see more rain, some of it heavy, and maybe sleet too.

And it's going to be colder than yesterday, with temperatures only just above freezing.

JazzyDeeCopyright: JazzyDee

We're forecasting some light rain today, but it should be a bit warmer than yesterday with temperatures up to 8C (46F).

Tomorrow we're expecting more of the same, but Friday should be drier.

Steve CCopyright: Steve C

Plans to introduce parking charges in a number of Warwickshire towns and villages have been put on hold because "this is not the right time".

Stratford district councillors were asked to consider bringing in charges for Alcester, Bidford, Southam and Studley, where parking has previously been free.

BBCCopyright: BBC

Councillor Ian Shenton, the council’s portfolio holder for operations, said: “It is clear that this is not the right time to consider this as the situation as regards to Covid-19."

But the council did agree to increase parking charges in Stratford-upon-Avon, a move which will bring in an extra £170,000.

It's forecast to be overcast and cold again today, with temperatures not rising much higher than 5C (41F).

Tonight the temperatures could drop to freezing again.

DiCopyright: Di

A reduced rail timetable is to be introduced from next week, said West Midlands Railway.

West Midlands RailwayCopyright: West Midlands Railway

The timetable, which comes into effect on Monday, 18 January, reflects the reduced number of passengers as well as the increased number of railway staff unable to work due to shielding or self-isolating, the company said.

Two house parties were among coronavirus restriction breaches reported to police over the weekend.

Warwickshire PoliceCopyright: Warwickshire Police

Warwickshire Police said one party in Polesworth reportedly had up to 20 guests on Saturday night.

Other incidents reported included two people training at a gym in Nuneaton and regular visitors to a house in Rowington.

People must have a reasonable excuse for being away from their home, as set out by the government, the force added.

"If this is not the case, they will face a fine.”

The force said breaches can be reported to them using an online tool.