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Wales prepares for heavy snowfall Heavy snow makes travel difficult
(about 8 hours later)
Heavy snowfall has been forecast to move across Wales overnight, with a risk of blizzards on high ground, covering the whole country by morning. Snow has begun falling across Wales with a risk of blizzards on high ground, covering the whole country. The Met Office has issued a severe weather warning, saying some areas could have up to 15cm (6in) of snow.
The Met Office has issued a severe weather warning, saying some areas could have up to 15cm (6in) of snow. The snowfall has already brought difficult travel conditions with warnings in some areas not to drive unless essential.
The snowfall is expected to bring major disruption for road and rail commuters. Some roads are already closed and local councils across Wales have begun gritting priority routes.
Four roads in the south Wales valleys have already been closed and local councils across Wales have begun gritting priority routes.
The snow is predicted to move up from the south west of Wales from around midnight, before falling across the rest of the country by dawn.
BBC Wales forecaster Derek Brockway, said: "The snow will arrive just in time for Thursday's rush hour.BBC Wales forecaster Derek Brockway, said: "The snow will arrive just in time for Thursday's rush hour.
"Most inland areas will see between two to five centimetres (1-2in) of snow, even in Cardiff, but some places could get clobbered with 10-15cm (4-6in), perhaps more."Most inland areas will see between two to five centimetres (1-2in) of snow, even in Cardiff, but some places could get clobbered with 10-15cm (4-6in), perhaps more.
"The worst-hit areas will be the south Wales valleys, Monmouthshire, Powys and Denbighshire.""The worst-hit areas will be the south Wales valleys, Monmouthshire, Powys and Denbighshire."
'Disruption inevitable''Disruption inevitable'
Arriva Trains Wales said it had allocated extra train and staff resources for the adverse weather conditions expected.Arriva Trains Wales said it had allocated extra train and staff resources for the adverse weather conditions expected.
Commercial director, Mike Bagshaw said: "However, if the weather is as bad as predicted, some disruption is inevitable and we would advise our passengers to allow extra time for their journeys."Commercial director, Mike Bagshaw said: "However, if the weather is as bad as predicted, some disruption is inevitable and we would advise our passengers to allow extra time for their journeys."
Central Trains said its Nottingham to Cardiff services on Thursday morning would terminate at Newport, before returning to Nottingham.Central Trains said its Nottingham to Cardiff services on Thursday morning would terminate at Newport, before returning to Nottingham.
Motoring organisations have advised people travelling by car to take warm clothes, food, water, a torch and a spade in case of a breakdown.Motoring organisations have advised people travelling by car to take warm clothes, food, water, a torch and a spade in case of a breakdown.
Rhondda Cynon Taf Council closed three mountain roads, Maerdy, Bwlch and Rhigos, at 2100 GMT in anticipation of the heavy snowfall and South Wales Police shut the A4107 between Abergwynfi and Treorchy for the same reason. Rhondda Cynon Taf Council closed three mountain roads, Maerdy, Bwlch and Rhigos, at 2100 GMT on Wednesday in anticipation of the heavy snowfall and South Wales Police shut the A4107 between Abergwynfi and Treorchy for the same reason.
Caerphilly Council said gritting teams would be working through the night, although it was expected that some schools would be disrupted by the weather.Caerphilly Council said gritting teams would be working through the night, although it was expected that some schools would be disrupted by the weather.
Neath Port Talbot Council said gritting lorries were gearing up to treat 40% of the 500 miles (807km) of roads in the borough, including the M4 and A465.Neath Port Talbot Council said gritting lorries were gearing up to treat 40% of the 500 miles (807km) of roads in the borough, including the M4 and A465.
Monmouthshire Council said gritting began early on Wednesday evening, covering pedestrian areas if needed.Monmouthshire Council said gritting began early on Wednesday evening, covering pedestrian areas if needed.
In north east Wales, Flintshire Council had a dozen vehicles gritting the county's roads from 1800 GMT on Wednesday, while 42 farmers with contracts to provide snow-clearing work were on standby.In north east Wales, Flintshire Council had a dozen vehicles gritting the county's roads from 1800 GMT on Wednesday, while 42 farmers with contracts to provide snow-clearing work were on standby.
A number of schools are expected to be shut as a result of the snowfall.A number of schools are expected to be shut as a result of the snowfall.
Clayton Jones, vice-chairman of the Confederation for Passenger Transport in Wales, said: "If the snow is going to strike from the coast all the way up, then the disruption will be massive."Clayton Jones, vice-chairman of the Confederation for Passenger Transport in Wales, said: "If the snow is going to strike from the coast all the way up, then the disruption will be massive."
The four mountain rescue teams in south Wales had been asked to assist the Welsh Ambulance Service in the valleys by providing 4x4 ambulances and staff to drive them.The four mountain rescue teams in south Wales had been asked to assist the Welsh Ambulance Service in the valleys by providing 4x4 ambulances and staff to drive them.
Huw Jones, of Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team, said: "We've had requests like this on a number of previous winters when we've had severe weather forecast."Huw Jones, of Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team, said: "We've had requests like this on a number of previous winters when we've had severe weather forecast."
Mr Jones said the request added weight to the argument that mountain rescue teams in Wales should receive public funding like their Scottish counterparts.Mr Jones said the request added weight to the argument that mountain rescue teams in Wales should receive public funding like their Scottish counterparts.
Send us your photos of the snowfall in your area. E-mail your pictures to newsonline.wales@bbc.co.ukSend us your photos of the snowfall in your area. E-mail your pictures to newsonline.wales@bbc.co.uk
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