Weather Wales: Blizzard warning as cold sets in

Forecasters say it will remain very cold in Wales during the rest of the week

More than a dozen schools have closed and roads have been affected by icy conditions, as snow and blizzards are forecast for later this week in Wales.

The cold weather is set to continue, with "significant snow" expected across Wales on Friday.

It comes after ice led to the closure of the A4067 in both directions early on Tuesday between Glais, Swansea, and junction 45 of the M4.

Schools were also closed in the south Wales valleys.

Other roads were just passable due to ice on Tuesday, including the A4061 in both directions at Nant-y-Moel, Bridgend, and the A4233 Maerdy mountain road in Rhondda Cynon Taf.

There was snow in south and north Wales on the A465 Heads of the Valleys Road at Tredegar, Blaenau Gwent, and on the A470 at Blaenau Ffestiniog, Gwynedd.

Ice also affected the A470 in both directions in Llandinam, Powys, and A476 near Tumble, Carmarthenshire.

The largest number of schools to close were in Rhondda Cynon Taf due to icy roads. Full details are available on the council website.

There were also school closures in other valley areas.

In Caerphilly county, Rhymney comprehensive opened to staff and external examination pupils only due to access difficulties due to icy conditions.

Merthyr council said Afon Taf High School closed to years 7, 8 and 9, but opened to years 10, 11, 12 and 13, after the heating system failed.

In Neath Port Talbot Glyncorrwg primary school also closed.

Snow in Powys and the Gwent valleys froze over on Tuesday as temperatures dropped overnight.

The lowest temperature of -4C (24F) was near Llanwrtyd Wells in Powys, while it was -3C (26F) in Tredegar in Blaenau Gwent

BBC Wales meteorologist Derek Brockway said the icy weather would continue, with snow and blizzards expected on Friday.

"The wind increases making it feel very cold and we could be in for a spell of snow - some significant falls of snow are likely," he said.

"The Met Office has recently issued a warning for snow. There could well be some disruption on Friday and blizzards are possible, especially on high ground."