EASTER SNOW WARNING
WALES is likely to see more snow in the coming days – as the first big getaway weekend of the year gets under way.
Forecasters have issued a yellow weather warning for snow over much of Wales on Easter Monday.
The warning is in place between 12.15am and 11.45pm.
It will follow a cold and unsettled Easter weekend – with some hill snow possible across higher ground.
Strong winds are also likely, with drifting possible.
The Met Office’s warning said: “As a weather system moves in from the south and comes up against cold air over the UK, there is the chance that rain could turn to heavy snow in places.
“Several centimetres of snow are possible, especially over hills, with drifting in strong winds.
“There is also the possibility of a few centimetres of wet snow gathering at lower levels. At present the extent and amounts of any snow are very uncertain, and it is quite possible that snow might not be too disruptive.”
Milder air is forecast to move in following the snowy conditions, and there remains uncertainty over how much snow will fall and in what locations.
A broad area of Wales stretching from north to south is covered by the warning, although coastal areas are likely to miss the worst of the bad weather.
Met Office chief meteorologist Andy Page said “The Easter period will bring a variety of spring weather from sunshine and showers, to more prolonged cloudy and wet conditions, along with some snow in the north: chiefly over the hills.
“So there will be opportunities to get outside and enjoy the weekend, and you can use the rainfall radar on the Met Office app to keep track of where the rain is and when is best to get outdoors.”
The RAC said drivers will complete nearly 19 million separate leisure journeys by car over Easter.
A study of drivers’ plans conducted by the RAC indicates that the largest number of trips will take place today, with 4.45 million individual journeys being taken, closely followed by yesterday and Saturday, which are each expected to see 3.18 million individual trips.
Those travelling to England have been warned to expect delays on the railways and roads.
Planned upgrades to some parts of the rail network will likely see an increase in road traffic through the weekend, with buses carrying rail passengers in some parts of the north west, south west and east of England.
Easter traffic hotspots are set to include the M25 between Gatwick Airport and the M1, the M3 south west of London, the A303 Stonehenge, the M55 between Preston and Blackpool, and the M53 between Liverpool and Chester, according to the RAC.
Highways England said it is helping people travelling to seaside locations, ports and airports by removing some 300 miles of roadworks.
The organisation said this means around 99% of motorways and major A-roads will be roadworks-free in time for Easter.
Highways England’s customer service director, Melanie Clarke, said: “We’d urge all motorists to make sure they do their bit to check their vehicle is roadworthy before setting off over this period.”