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Heavy snow makes travel difficult Heavy snow makes travel difficult
(10 minutes later)
Snow has fallen across large parts of Wales making travel conditions treacherous in many places and closing numerous schools.Snow has fallen across large parts of Wales making travel conditions treacherous in many places and closing numerous schools.
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 brought disruption to bus and train services and the closure of Cardiff airport's runway.The snowfall brought disruption to bus and train services and the closure of Cardiff airport's runway.
Some roads have been closed and there have been warnings in some areas not to drive unless essential.Some roads have been closed and there have been warnings in some areas not to drive unless essential.
The worst affected areas have been the south Wales valleys, parts of Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion and the Brecon Beacons.The worst affected areas have been the south Wales valleys, parts of Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion and the Brecon Beacons.
Forecasters said conditions are expected to improve in Pembrokeshire, Powys, Ceredigion and across much of south Wales during the morning, but the snow could persist in north Wales into the evening.Forecasters said conditions are expected to improve in Pembrokeshire, Powys, Ceredigion and across much of south Wales during the morning, but the snow could persist in north Wales into the evening.
Some southern and western areas of Wales, including parts of Pembrokeshire, Carmarthen Bay, Swansea and Gower escaped the snow.Some southern and western areas of Wales, including parts of Pembrokeshire, Carmarthen Bay, Swansea and Gower escaped the snow.
Snow fell across many parts of WalesSnow fell across many parts of Wales
Malcolm Weatherall, from the Met Office in Cardiff, said conditions would worsen in north Wales during the day.Malcolm Weatherall, from the Met Office in Cardiff, said conditions would worsen in north Wales during the day.
He said: "The southern half of the country has probably been worst hit.He said: "The southern half of the country has probably been worst hit.
"Some areas escaped it, places like Milford Haven, southern parts of Pembrokeshire and Carmarthen Bay - I think they had sleet rather than snow."Some areas escaped it, places like Milford Haven, southern parts of Pembrokeshire and Carmarthen Bay - I think they had sleet rather than snow.
"The improvement will come from the south. For mid Wales, I think we're going to have to wait until lunchtime for that improvement."The improvement will come from the south. For mid Wales, I think we're going to have to wait until lunchtime for that improvement.
"For north Wales, it continues snowing on and off through the afternoon and into the evening."For north Wales, it continues snowing on and off through the afternoon and into the evening.
"As we go through the day conditions will deteriorate inn parts of Powys, Ceredigion and parts of north Wales north Wales."As we go through the day conditions will deteriorate inn parts of Powys, Ceredigion and parts of north Wales north Wales.
"So worse to come for that northern half as we go through the morning and afternoon.""So worse to come for that northern half as we go through the morning and afternoon."
Councils vehicles were out overnight across Wales gritting priority routes.Councils vehicles were out overnight across Wales gritting priority routes.
The snow began falling over Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion after midnight, then moving east and north.The snow began falling over Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion after midnight, then moving east and north.
The A55 near Conwy was said to be dangerous with speed restrictions at the Britannia Bridge.The A55 near Conwy was said to be dangerous with speed restrictions at the Britannia Bridge.
Gwent and South Wales Police were using 4x4 vehicles rather than normal patrol cars and there was snow throughout Powys, with deeper accumulations on higher ground.Gwent and South Wales Police were using 4x4 vehicles rather than normal patrol cars and there was snow throughout Powys, with deeper accumulations on higher ground.
Caerphilly, Blaenau Gwent and Rhondda Cynon Taff were also badly affected. Gwent Police said the Caerphilly area was the worst affected in their force area, but most major roads were passable.
The Dyfed-Powys force said most roads were treacherous but most passable with care.
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.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.
Rail disruptionRail disruption
Drivers were warned to take extra care and motoring organisations advised people travelling by car to take warm clothes, food, water, a torch and a spade in case of a breakdown.Drivers were warned to take extra care and motoring organisations advised people travelling by car to take warm clothes, food, water, a torch and a spade in case of a breakdown.
Train disruption was expected and there were numerous flight delays and cancellations at Cardiff International Airport, where the runway was closed.Train disruption was expected and there were numerous flight delays and cancellations at Cardiff International Airport, where the runway was closed.
All flights there have been delayed, but the airport is asking passengers to turn up as normal.All flights there have been delayed, but the airport is asking passengers to turn up as normal.
Arriva Trains Wales said it had allocated extra train and staff resources but warned passengers to allow extra time for their journeys.Arriva Trains Wales said it had allocated extra train and staff resources but warned passengers to allow extra time for their journeys.
Virgin Trains said most of its north Wales services will not operate south of Crewe, where passengers will need to change for alternative trains.Virgin Trains said most of its north Wales services will not operate south of Crewe, where passengers will need to change for alternative trains.
Stagecoach Coaches said no services were running out of Merthyr, Aberdare, Brecon, Caerphilly or Porth with local services cancelled in Brynmawr and Cwmbran.Stagecoach Coaches said no services were running out of Merthyr, Aberdare, Brecon, Caerphilly or Porth with local services cancelled in Brynmawr and Cwmbran.
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.
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