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Snow closes motorway and schools Road gridlock after surprise snow
(about 2 hours later)
Most of Wales is experiencing more wintry weather with a band of unforecast heavy snow. Thousands of motorists on many roads in Wales experienced gridlock as a second day of heavy snow created travel chaos and closed more than 600 schools.
Up to 15cm (6in) is possible in places. More than 600 schools closed, and there is widespread disruption on roads. The unforecast snow also hit buses and trains and delayed up to 2,000 rugby fans heading to Edinburgh for Saturday's Six Nations game.
The M4 motorway was closed for a time between junctions 47 and 49, Swansea West to Pont Abraham. One lane each way reopened later. Ambulance chiefs said services were at full stretch and 999 calls should only be made for life or death emergencies.
The Met Office said the snow would spread north, with the Brecon Beacons, Powys and Monmouthshire worst affected. Cardiff, Carmarthenshire, the valleys, Swansea, and Powys were worst affected.
Friday's fresh bout of snow was not initially predicted, but forecasters said weather patterns had altered overnight. The Welsh Ambulance Service said staff were battling snow and ice to reach calls amid a mounting number of calls.
At Cardiff International Airport, up to 2,000 rugby fans are waiting for flights to Edinburgh to take off. Chief executive Alan Murray said: "The weather is delaying our responses across Wales and it is also increasing the number of calls we are getting.
The forecast has gone wrong Meteorologist Derek Brockway The forecast has gone badly wrong Meteorologist Derek Brockway
Other flights have been delayed and passengers were advised to allow more time to reach the airport because of road conditions. "Responses have been particularly difficult in the south and this pattern will continue across the country as the snow moves north.
A flight to Cork was diverted to Bristol. The airport said there would be delays throughout the afternoon and evening. "We would ask for public understanding in these difficult circumstances and would assure everyone that the service is doing its best to manage."
BBC Wales meteorologist Derek Brockway said: "The forecast has gone wrong. St John Cymru Wales' specialist vehicles were brought in to support ambulances.
Earlier in the day the M4 was closed between junctions 47 and 49, Swansea West to Pont Abraham and later police closed the A48 between Carmarthen and Cross Hands.
Drivers were asked to leave their cars on the side of the road and head to a rest centre in Cross Hands or Carmarthen.
N-ice house: Gareth and Mike sent this shot of their igloo in PentrebachPeople with young children, or elderly or poorly people in their cars were asked to stay in their vehicles and call officers.
Police and ambulance workers used 4x4 vehicles to try to help people stuck on the road, with concerns about freezing overnight conditions.
Roads in many areas, such as Newtown in Powys, were only passable with care and police asked motorists to make only essential journeys.
The second band of wintry weather in two days surprised forecasters who had predicted no more snow after Thursday's downfall.
But on Friday they forecast up to 10cm (4in) of snow, with reports from mid Wales of much more.
BBC Wales meteorologist Derek Brockway said: "The forecast has gone badly wrong.
"The low pressure over north-west France moved much further north giving us snow on what should have been a dry day."The low pressure over north-west France moved much further north giving us snow on what should have been a dry day.
"There's more rain and heavy snow for some areas to come, clearing tomorrow and turning milder on Sunday."There's more rain and heavy snow for some areas to come, clearing tomorrow and turning milder on Sunday.
"However the thaw could create localised flooding," he added."However the thaw could create localised flooding," he added.
Overnight temperatures fell to -3C in places and drivers are warned to beware widespread icy patches. At Cardiff International Airport, between 1,500 - 2,000 rugby fans were delayed for several hours waiting for flights to Edinburgh for Saturday's Six Nations clash with Scotland to take off.
class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/6345737.stm">Your snow pictures Boys enjoy their day off in the snow in Rumney, Cardiff. Pic: Paul Franks
The Met Office is warning ice may develop on untreated surfaces. A flight to Cork was diverted to Bristol and passengers were forced to travel there. The airport said there would be delays throughout the afternoon and evening.
All main roads in Wales are open, although some minor roads are closed. Overnight temperatures fell to -3C in places and drivers were warned to beware widespread icy patches as temperatures drop.
Many routes throughout the country had bumper-to-bumper traffic as motorists attempted to drive home in treacherous conditions. Many routes throughout the country had bumper-to-bumper traffic.
In south Wales, the A4061 Bwlch mountain road is still closed, as is the Rhigos Road at Hirwaun and the A4233 Station Road at Maerdy and Aberdare. In south Wales, the A4061 Bwlch mountain road was closed, as was Rhigos Road at Hirwaun and the A4233 Station Road at Maerdy and Aberdare.
On the railways, Arriva Trains Wales said most valleys routes were still running except Merthyr Tydfil, where there was a points failure at Abercynon.On the railways, Arriva Trains Wales said most valleys routes were still running except Merthyr Tydfil, where there was a points failure at Abercynon.
There were cancellations on routes west of Swansea, as well as on the Heart of Wales line.There were cancellations on routes west of Swansea, as well as on the Heart of Wales line.
Boys enjoy their day off in the snow in Rumney, Cardiff. Pic: Paul Franks The Bridgend Designer Outlet shopping centre closed in the afternoon, staff at Carmarthenshire Council were advised to leave work if they had concerns about being able to get home, while all Newport and Caerphilly council offices closed from lunchtime.
The Bridgend Designer Outlet shopping centre closed from 1300 GMT. Manager Richard Garratt said the snow had made the centre "impassable and dangerous and we were concerned for the safety of our shoppers, which is obviously our paramount concern."
St John Cymru Wales' specialist vehicles were brought in to support the Welsh Ambulance Service. Several multi-purpose and 4x4 vehicles were deployed for calls that regular emergency ambulances could not reach.
Neath Port Talbot Council said some of its schools had problems with their phone and could not contact parents to tell them they were closing.
School buses were on their way to pick up pupils, and the council appealed to parents to make arrangements for their children to be met at home.
However, Neath Port Talbot stressed not all its schools were shut, and it was up to individual schools to decide whether to stay open.
Staff at Carmarthenshire Council were advised to leave work if they had concerns about being able to get home, while all Newport and Caerphilly councils closed from lunchtime.
The Welsh Assembly Government said its staff were expected in work "unless severe disruption to roads and public transport prevent them from doing so safely."The Welsh Assembly Government said its staff were expected in work "unless severe disruption to roads and public transport prevent them from doing so safely."
But it said that staff living in badly affected areas should consider whether to leave the office early. But it said staff living in badly affected areas should consider whether to leave early.
There are regular weather and traffic updates on BBC RadioWales on 93 - 96&104 FM; 882 & 657 AM or listen onlineThere are regular weather and traffic updates on BBC RadioWales on 93 - 96&104 FM; 882 & 657 AM or listen online