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Wales braced for heavy snowfall Heavy snowfall brings disruption
(about 2 hours later)
Wales is braced for its first heavy snowfall of winter, expected to move in from the east later and overnight. The first heavy snowfall of winter is disrupting road travel across Wales and has led to almost 150 schools closing their doors.
Up to 10cm (4in) of snow could fall over the next two days, but forecasters say it is difficult to predict where. Disruption is reported in Powys on the A470 at Llanidloes, and the A44 at Llangurig, and on the A465 Heads of Valleys road at Dowlais top.
North and south western areas have had light snow, some roads are described as hazardous, and some schools are closed. Drivers on the M4 between junctions 38-49 were also facing heavy snow.
The bodies of two men, believed to be brothers from the Weston-super-Mare area, were found on Snowdon after an overnight search. Elsewhere, two men were winched to safety on Snowdon, hours after the bodies of two other men were found.
The area had light snow showers on Sunday, and the search was launched after the brothers failed to return home. Forecasters say an icy blast from Russia is expected to bring Wales some of the snowfall which has already brought transport chaos to parts of England.
Weather forecaster Malcolm Weatherall of the Met Office said that up to 10cm (4in) of snowfall was expected in parts of Wales in the next two days. North and south western areas had the first of the snow but it was later reported to be heavy around Builth Wells, Powys.
"The cold weather will continue right through the night, but we not sure exactly where it will fall." Traffic Wales, the Welsh Assembly Government's traffic and travel information service, has advised motorists to leave plenty of time for journeys and to listen to radio traffic reports to get an idea of road conditions and any incidents.
Warm clothes Warnings have been made that more snow is due to fall
Mr Weatherall said people going out should check the forecast and road conditions beforehand. A statement said: "Remember that icy roads can increase stopping distances by 85%, so keep your distance from the vehicle ahead of you and avoid sudden movements.
"Make sure you have plenty of warm clothes and footwear in your car," he said. "Consider taking a winter pack on your journeys.
Snow was causing hazardous driving conditions on the A48 at Carmarthen. Drivers are being urged to be careful. "We suggest a mobile phone to use in emergencies (making sure it is safe and legal to do so), warm clothes, some food and drink and even a shovel if heavy snow has been forecast."
There was some disruption on the A55 in the north Wales and also to train services from south Wales to London. As the snowfall began to pick up, RAF Valley on Anglesey said its rescue helicopter had picked up two men in their 20s who had become stuck on Crib Goch, a ridge leading to the summit of Snowdon, on Monday afternoon.
Wrexham Council said there would be no yellow school buses for Bryn Alun School, Gwersyllt, Wrexham on Monday. They pair, who were uninjured, were flown by the crew to Nant Peris.
Around 145 schools closed in Wales because of the weather conditions. The alert came after the Llanberis mountain rescue team found the bodies of two men at Clogwyn Coch, not far from the summit of Snowdon.
The men, believed to be brothers from the south west of England area, were declared missing on Sunday night.
Meanwhile, the Welsh Ambulance Service issued advice that emergency ambulances be called only if "absolutely necessary".Meanwhile, the Welsh Ambulance Service issued advice that emergency ambulances be called only if "absolutely necessary".
The snowfall led to 145 schools shutting across Wales on Monday, with some already reporting they will close or stay closed on Tuesday.
Football
Both games involving Wales' Football League clubs on Tuesday in London have also been postponed because of the weather.Both games involving Wales' Football League clubs on Tuesday in London have also been postponed because of the weather.
Cardiff City's FA Cup fourth-round replay against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium is off, as is Swansea City's game against QPR at Loftus Road. The Arsenal-Cardiff game will be played instead on Monday, 16 February (1945 GMT). Cardiff City's FA Cup fourth-round replay against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium is off, as is Swansea City's game against QPR at Loftus Road.
The Arsenal-Cardiff game will be played instead on Monday, 16 February (1945 GMT).
Met Office forecaster Derek Brockway warned light winds and temperatures close to freezing on Monday night could bring the risk of ice.
He said: "Further outbreaks of sleet and snow will spread across Wales, with some heavy snow in places too, especially but not exclusively on some of the higher ground with drifting.
"Amounts of snow will vary from place to place. It's difficult to say exactly where will be worst hit."
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Below is a selection of some of the comments we have also received:Below is a selection of some of the comments we have also received:
Plenty of snow up here!Jono, Blaengwynfi Port TalbotPlenty of snow up here!Jono, Blaengwynfi Port Talbot
Snow here in Carmarthen! light at first but then turned heavy! on and off at the moment! white here after snowing all morning! more snow to come I hope!James Evans, CarmarthenSnow here in Carmarthen! light at first but then turned heavy! on and off at the moment! white here after snowing all morning! more snow to come I hope!James Evans, Carmarthen
Woke up to a light dusting of snow this morning, hope to see some more later!Rory, AberystwythWoke up to a light dusting of snow this morning, hope to see some more later!Rory, Aberystwyth
It's snowing here and all the other schools are off except us.. soo unfair!Stacy, Abertillery, GwentIt's snowing here and all the other schools are off except us.. soo unfair!Stacy, Abertillery, Gwent
OMG it is so cold. i cant even feel my hands but the good thing is that i think we are going to get sent home from school. Our snow showers are heavy at times but are also light. Rebecca Miller, NeathOMG it is so cold. i cant even feel my hands but the good thing is that i think we are going to get sent home from school. Our snow showers are heavy at times but are also light. Rebecca Miller, Neath
Down here in South West Wales there are on and off snow showers both light and heavy, no schools in the West Glamorgan area no schools as of yet there are no word on school closures but one thing is for sure WE ARE COLD!!!Sarah Sims, Neath, WalesDown here in South West Wales there are on and off snow showers both light and heavy, no schools in the West Glamorgan area no schools as of yet there are no word on school closures but one thing is for sure WE ARE COLD!!!Sarah Sims, Neath, Wales
No Snow here yet, whyyyyyy!!!!, CardiffNo Snow here yet, whyyyyyy!!!!, Cardiff
There is no snow and evreyone else is off school...its sooooo unfair! Chels., NewportThere is no snow and evreyone else is off school...its sooooo unfair! Chels., Newport