BEAST FROM THE EAST BITES BACK
HEAVY snow and freezing temperatures hit Wales yesterday, causing widespread disruption.
Temperatures felt as low as -10°C in places as a wintry snap dubbed the “mini-Beast from the East” hit the country.
A yellow weather warning for ice issued by the Met Office is in place for part of today, with sub-zero temperatures set to cause further disruption.
Yesterday most of the country woke to snow, with some people seeing up to around 25cm on higher ground.
The severe conditions caused widespread travel disruption, with dozens of roads forced to close and delays and cancellations at Cardiff Airport.
Police warned drivers to only travel if absolutely necessary and heavy snowfall blocked all rail lines between Newport and Hereford, causing disruption for most of the morning.
A number of roads were blocked by snow and authorities warned of hazardous conditions on the mountain roads through Rhondda Cynon Taff.
South Wales Police tweeted an image of a 4x4 car that had skidded off the A48 in Bridgend.
Although the worst of the snow has passed, a yellow weather warning for ice is in place until 10am today and is predicted to cause further disruption.
The Met Office chief forecaster said: “After a very cold day on Sunday, temperatures are likely to fall well below freezing across many areas into the start of Monday. This will lead to any partly-melted snow refreezing.”
Forecasters said that ice is likely to form on untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths.
They added the conditions will increase the risk of accidents as well as injuries due to falls.
Temperatures across Wales are
forecast to rise throughout the week, with some places seeing the mercury rise into double figures.
Some schools in Wales may be shut today, but most are expected to be open.
Parents are being urged to check with their school.
Cardiff Council said it expects most of its schools to open as normal, with the situation nowhere near as bad as the snow two weeks ago.
Headteachers across Wales are monitoring the situation and will update parents via social media and on their local council websites.
The snow meant hundreds of people were stuck at Cardiff Airport – but some rugby fans made the most of it.
Despite some flights being delayed for more than two hours, fans who watched the Wales v France game on Saturday in the capital continued to enjoy themselves at the airport.
Video footage from the departures hall shows French fans singing the national anthem and images showed a packed bar.
But some passengers described chaotic scenes and said the airport was a “mess”.
Cardiff Airport said they were doing their “utmost” to help passengers and that the airport was open and operating as usual.
Elsewhere, Cardiff City’s Championship football match against Derby County was called off due to the snow. After heavy snowfall in and around the Derby area over the weekend, officials decided to postpone the match yesterday morning.
Neither Derby or Cardiff released any official statement, but local police made the announcement on their Twitter account, saying the game had been called off “due to weather conditions and safety concerns”.
Between 2,000 and 3,000 hardy Bluebirds fans were expected to make the trip up to the East Midlands, desperate to see Neil Warnock’s side make it eight wins from eight.
The game will now be rearranged.