Winter weather takes its toll as schools forced to close
SCHOOLS were closed and police warned of treacherous driving conditions on a second day of snow and ice in Wales yesterday.
Temperatures recorded in England and Wales were the lowest this year as fresh snow fell in places overnight on Tuesday.
The mercury fell to minus 7.6°C in Sennybridge, on the edge of the Brecon Beacons, and to minus 9.9°C in Shap, Cumbria, overnight on Tuesday, as many woke up yesterday to the coldest morning of the week, the Met Office said.
But the coldest temperature overnight was recorded in Tulloch Bridge, in the Scottish Highlands, where the mercury plunged to minus 10.1°C – still some way off the UK’s coldest night of 2018 so far at minus 13.7°C.
The worst hit areas in terms of snowfall yesterday were Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and parts of north Wales.
Vehicles were stuck in snow after a crash on the A4075 in Pembrokeshire and there were reports of other crashes in the area.
British Transport Police warned of “treacherous conditions” in Llanfairpwllgwyngyll, while Dyfed-Powys Police’s Cardigan and Crymych team warned that “whilst main roads are mostly clear, the back roads are compacted into ice rinks”.
Schools in Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion and Gwynedd were closed yesterday as a severe weather warning for snow and ice remained in place until 10am yesterday.
The Met Office says Wales can expect a cloudy day today with outbreaks of rain for many, with some heavy bursts at times. It is forecast to be breezy but slightly less cold than recent days, with a maximum temperature of 9°C.
Tomorrow is set to be cold, with sunshine and even some blustery snow showers. Saturday is set to be wet and windy with some hill snow, with rain clearing to blustery wintry showers on Sunday.
A severe weather warning for snow and ice, affecting parts of north-east Wales, is in place from 10pm today to 12pm tomorrow.
The Met Office warning says: “Following a spell of rain, sleet and hill snow, temperatures will fall quickly allowing ice to form on untreated pavements, cycle paths and roads.
“Heavy snow showers will follow. Some injuries from slips and accidents on icy surfaces are possible. Some roads and railways are likely to be affected with longer journey times by road, bus and train services.”