Snow and ice warnings issued across Wales

Snow and ice are expected across Wales this week, amid warnings for potential disruption and injury.

The Met Office has issued two yellow weather warnings for Wales: one for ice overnight on Tuesday into Wednesday morning, and another for snow and ice from midday on Wednesday until midnight on Thursday, mainly across the south-west.

Forecasters have cautioned that buses and trains may be cancelled or delayed due to the inclement weather, and advised planning ahead for car journeys and allowing more time.

Untreated pavements or cycle paths may become treacherous or impassable for those travelling on foot, and there is a slight chance of power cuts in more exposed areas, they warned.

Outbreaks of rain and freezing temperatures overnight on Tuesday could lead to widespread icy patches on Wednesday morning across much of the Wales.

The Met Office said most areas will see little, or no, lying snow, but warned any light snow in the hills is likely to turn to ice or slush.

Significant snow accumulations will be largely restricted to communities and transport routes above about 300m elevation.

On Wednesday, the yellow ice warning covers:

• Blaenau Gwent
• Bridgend
• Caerphilly
• Cardiff
• Carmarthenshire
• Ceredigion
• Conwy
• Denbighshire
• Flintshire
• Gwynedd
• Merthyr Tydfil
• Monmouthshire
• Neath Port Talbot
• Newport
• Pembrokeshire
• Powys
• Rhondda Cynon Taf
• Swansea
• Torfaen
• Vale of Glamorgan
• Wrexham

Meanwhile, wintry showers will feed southwards across south-west Wales through Wednesday and Thursday, moving inland on brisk northerly winds.

Small snow accumulations are possible in places, especially overnight and farther inland, with expectations of up to 5 cm – with about 10 cm forecast in some elevated spots in Pembrokeshire and west Carmarthenshire.

Gusty winds and hail may accompany some of the showers, and wet conditions and freezing temperature will, again, bring a risk of ice.

The Wednesday/Thursday warning covers the following regions:

• Carmarthenshire

• Ceredigion

• Pembrokeshire

• Swansea

“Plan to leave the house at least five minutes earlier than normal to reduce your risk of accidents, slips, and falls,” weather pundits have advised, ahead of the inclement weather.

“If making a journey on foot, try to use pavements along main roads which are likely to be less slippery. Similarly, if cycling, try and stick to main roads which are more likely to have been treated.”

It is also important to check on any elderly relatives or neighbours, offer to clear paths with salt – to limit slippery access points – and ask if they need any practical help with shopping or medical support.

The Met Office says it is safer not to drive in icy conditions but if you must make a journey, the key advice is to drive slowly, “accelerating, braking, steering and changing gear as smoothly as possible to reduce the risk of a skid”.

“Using a higher gear may be more appropriate to help grip on packed ice.”

It is also advisable to allow more time for your journey, check your tyres and screen wash, and pack warm clothing, food, drink, a blanket and a torch.