Wales snow: Roads and schools hit in Powys and Ceredigion

The A482 between Lampeter and Pumsaint, Ceredigion, is one of the routes hit by the snow

Motorists are being warned conditions on many roads across mid Wales remain hazardous following the heavy snow.

Roads affected include the A44 at Llangurig in Powys, where lorries became stuck, while the A481 by the Royal Welsh showground at Builth Wells has been closed.

Over a hundred schools have also been shut in Powys and Ceredigion.

The Met Office red warning of blizzards applies to the south eastern side of the Brecon Beacons and Black Mountains.

The warning advises people to avoid any non-essential travel.

Snow began to fall in the early hours causing travel disruption.

Councils are giving details of school closures via their websites with over 80 in Powys and 25 in Ceredigion.

The Met Office added that strong south-easterly winds could also cause severe drifting of lying snow "and severe disruption".

The band of snow has spreading across much of Wales during Friday.

Aside from the areas subject to a red warning, there is an amber warning covering most of the rest of the country, which means around 5 to 10cm (2 to 4in) of snow could fall.

Ceredigion council said upland areas have been the worst affected by the snow.

Councillor Ellen ap Gwynn, Leader of Ceredigion County Council said: "The council's labour force has worked continuously from midday on Thursday to ensure that the county's main road network remained passable and will continue to work throughout the night into Saturday morning to ensure that roads are open.

"The main problem encountered was drifting snow. Most roads are now open and passable with care but high winds are still causing a problem with drifting."

Delays and cancellations

Public transport has been badly affected across mid Wales, with many bus services suspended.

Lloyd Coaches, which runs routes between south Gwynedd and Aberystwyth said all its services bar the 34 and X28 have been halted.

Arriva Cymru said its 40 and 50 service is only running from Aberystwyth to Aberaeron, while the 585 service is only running from Aberystwyth to Llanilar.

However, Arriva Train Wales reports a good train service on the Cambrian line between Aberystwyth, Shrewsbury and Pwllheli.

"Whilst we are closely monitoring the weather situation which may result in short notice delays and cancellations, we are working very hard to run services as close to our normal timetable as possible," said a spokesperson.

Power out

Elsewhere in Wales, electricity supplies have also been affected by the bad weather, mainly in south and west Wales.

Western Power customers being asked to call the emergency line on 0800 052 0400 if they are in difficulties.

The power company says it currently has about 1,000 homes in west Wales without electricity.

In north Wales, a few hundred homes are without power.

Supplier Scottish Power said there are pockets of customers - mainly in Gwynedd and on the Llyn Peninsula affected.

Snow is expected to turn to rain across the west and during the rest of Friday and it is expected to be drier in the south, though ice could be an issue with temperatures dropping to -4C overnight.