Met Office upgrades snow and ice warning to amber with 'significant disruption' expected

Heavy snow is already coming down in Coedpoeth in Wrexham County

The Met Office has upgraded its weather warning for north Wales as the country braces for heavy snowfall.

Almost 350 schools have already announced they will be closed throughout today.

Two weather warnings are in force across the country. Credit: Met Office.
The snow has not stopped some people getting around. Credit: ITV Cymru Wales.

The amber warning is active from midday today (Thursday 9 March) until 9am tomorrow (Friday 10 March).

It affects the following counties:

  • Conwy

  • Denbighshire

  • Flintshire

  • Gwynedd

  • Powys

  • Wrexham

Drivers could become stranded due to the conditions, according to the Met Office. Credit: ITV Cymru Wales.

How the snow is impacting travel:

The heavy snow is already causing disruption on several roads making them impassable, including the A5 in Llangollen and the A4086 in Caernarfon.

Transport for Wales is reporting major delays on the Aberystwyth to Shrewsbury line.

All mountain roads in Rhondda Cynon Taf have reopened, along with the Bwlch mountain pass, between the Rhondda, Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend.

This is the scene in Wrexham. Credit: @rywxmfc

A wider yellow warning for snow remains in place until 2pm on Friday 10 March.

It cover the whole of the north and parts of mid Wales.

Snow covered houses in Newtown, mid Wales. Credit: Frank Moore

SP Energy Networks has issued safety advice in the event of any power cuts caused by the weather.

It has published top tips which include:

  • Have the national 105 emergency helpline on hand

  • Store a battery or wind-up torch

  • Beware of fallen power lines

  • Keep your mobile charged

  • Keep the heat in

Councils across the country have had workers out gritting the roads. Credit: ITV Cymru Wales.

Yesterday, the south Wales valleys were worst affected with all schools in the Rhondda Cynon Taf council area closed from Wednesday lunchtime.

The Met Office tells people what to expect over the coming hours:

  • Travel delays on roads are likely, stranding some vehicles and passengers

  • Some delays and cancellations to rail and bus services are likely

  • There is a good chance that some rural communities could become cut off

  • Power cuts are likely and other services, such as mobile phone coverage, may be affected

  • Injuries from slips and falls are likely on icy surfaces

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