Wales weather: Schools closed as snow causes disruption

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Media caption,

West and north Wales were hit by snow overnight

Snowfall across north and west Wales has forced more than 60 schools to close on Thursday.

Pembrokeshire council, external said on its website that 26 schools were closed in the county, with six more partially closed. Carmarthenshire council, external said six schools were closed.

Twenty were closed in Gwynedd, external, four on Anglesey, external and eight schools were closed in Ceredigion, external.

It follows days of yellow weather warnings of ice and snow showers.

Wednesday night was Wales' coldest night of the winter so far - a provisional temperature of -9.1C (15.6F) was recorded at Tirabad near Sennybridge in Powys.

The lowest temperature ever recorded was -23.3C (-10F), in Rhayader, Powys, in January 1940.

Image source, Weatherwatchers/caza b
Image caption,

Snow carpeted Milford Haven on Thursday

A Met Office snow and ice warning was in place until 11:00 GMT on Thursday, with the forecaster warning of delays to travel.

The bad weather caused delays on the Britannia Bridge, which crosses the Menai Strait in north Wales, as people tried to get across to the mainland on Thursday morning.

Traffic Wales advised people to allow extra time for travel.

Road Safety Wales warned that road conditions in some areas would be treacherous due to ice, even on surfaces that have been gritted, and advised against continuing "as normal".

Image source, Weatherwatchers/Pogs Membs
Image caption,

There were snowy scenes in Carnhedryn in Pembrokeshire

"Although ice is clearly visible on some parts of the carriageway or pavement, it is not as noticeable on others," the road safety body said.

Higher temperatures are expected to bring milder weather for the weekend, as well as wind and rain.

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