HEAVY snow and ice have brought widespread disruption across west Wales today (Nov 20), with school closures, difficult driving conditions and a continuing yellow weather warning in force.
Snow has fallen across much of Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire, particularly in northern and eastern parts of both counties, as a cold Arctic airstream continues to feed wintry showers across Wales.
Warning covers west Wales until midnight
The Met Office’s yellow warning for snow and ice, which came into effect at midday on Wednesday (Nov 19), remains in place until 11:59pm tonight. It covers Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, Swansea and parts of north-west Wales.
Forecasters say wintry showers moving in from the Irish Sea will continue through Thursday, with further accumulations of snow over higher ground and icy patches almost everywhere away from the immediate coast.
Temperatures overnight fell well below freezing in some inland areas, with -6.4C recorded at Sennybridge in Powys, the coldest reading of the season so far.
North and east Pembrokeshire hit hard
In Pembrokeshire, heavy snow has been reported across the Preseli mountains and into north and east of the county, making conditions particularly difficult on higher routes and rural roads.
The B4329 Preseli Road has already been closed between New Inn and Tafarn y Bwlch due to hazardous conditions and drifting. Other high-level roads have become hard to negotiate, with reports of vehicles struggling on untreated sections.
Dyfed-Powys Police has urged drivers to travel only if necessary because of what it described as “extremely poor” road conditions in parts of its force area, and highlighted routes around Cardigan as being especially badly affected.
Council gritting teams have been out through the night and into today on primary routes, but warn that in places fresh snow is falling on top of treated surfaces, while compacted snow and slush are refreezing.
Heavy snow in Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion
Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion have also seen widespread snowfall, with low-lying areas waking up to a covering this morning and upland communities facing much deeper accumulations.
Snow depths are most significant on higher ground inland from the west Wales coast, with between five and ten centimetres reported in some exposed locations. Drifting in strong winds has made conditions highly variable from place to place.
The Met Office warned that untreated pavements and cycle paths may become impassable and that there is a slight chance of power cuts, along with delays or cancellations to bus and train services.
Dozens of schools closed
By midday, more than thirty six schools in Pembrokeshire had been closed because of the adverse weather, alongside fourteen in Carmarthenshire and seven in Ceredigion.
Many of the closures affect schools serving rural catchments where school transport could not operate safely, or where site staff were unable to clear and make grounds safe in time for opening.
Parents have been advised to check local authority websites and social media feeds for the latest information, with further changes possible if conditions worsen later in the day.
Travel advice and health risks
The Met Office and police are advising motorists to avoid non-essential journeys, particularly on minor roads and exposed higher routes. Where travel cannot be avoided, drivers are urged to leave extra time, carry warm clothing and provisions, and check routes before setting out.
Health officials have also reminded residents of the increased risk to vulnerable people in prolonged cold weather and have encouraged neighbours to check on elderly or isolated residents.
Further ice risk into Friday
Although the heaviest of the snow showers are expected to ease later tonight and into Friday, a further yellow warning for ice has been issued for Wales from midnight until late Friday morning.
With temperatures again forecast to fall below freezing overnight, any partially melted snow and standing water are likely to refreeze, bringing another difficult morning on the roads for much of the country.
Conditions are expected to improve gradually into the weekend as slightly milder air arrives, but forecasters say there could be further frosts and isolated wintry showers before a more sustained thaw sets in.
(Image: Snow plough in Pembrokeshire – New View Photography)
