Wales weather: Heavy snow and rain may cause disruption

Snow in January brought widespread disruption

Forecasters have warned that heavy snow and rain could cause disruption in parts of north and south Wales in coming days.

About 10-15cm (4-6in) of snow could fall in north east Wales from late on Thursday into Friday.

Two warnings have also been issued for persistent rain in south Wales during Thursday, with about 30-50mm (1.2-2in) of rain over 24 hours and strong winds.

The yellow "be aware" warnings were put in place by the Met Office.

Environment Agency Wales (EAW) has warned of possible localised flooding, particularly focusing on the south Wales valleys and the Brecon Beacons.

Forecasters say Flintshire, Wrexham and Denbighshire could see up to 20 to 40cm (8-16in) on higher ground.

'Significant snow'

The snow is expected to continue into Saturday, affecting north east Wales and Powys before it begins to ease.

By Sunday, it is expected to turn drier but colder everywhere.

EAW has warned that rivers may rise steadily from Thursday which could lead to a small number of flood alerts on rivers in south Wales from Pembrokeshire in the west to Monmouthshire in the east.

On Thursday night, the A477 Cleddau Bridge in Pembrokeshire was closed to high-sided vehicles.

Earlier in the day, a 41-year-old woman and her 17-year-old son were airlifted to hospital by an RAF rescue helicopter from Snowdon after becoming hypothermic.

The ill-equipped pair, from Kent, became disorientated after descending the Pyg track and a passing climber called the Llanberis Mountain Rescue team.

They were flown to Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor, following a four-hour operation.

The rescue came as Snowdonia National park wardens urged walkers and climbers to seek alternative routes rather than trying to climb snow-topped mountains in bad weather.

The worst of the weather Wales has faced this winter came in January when heavy snow brought six days of disruption.

BBC Wales forecaster Derek Brockway, who has blogged on the situation, said: "We're in for some very unpleasant and severe weather over the next couple of days.

"Low pressure over the Atlantic is bringing a mixture of heavy rain, strong to gale force winds and some significant snow."