Heavy snow is predicted for Wales

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A warning has been issued that heavy snow is heading for much of Wales as soon as Tuesday.

Forecasters predict that up to 30cm, or a foot, of snow could fall by lunchtime on that day across higher ground in mid and south Wales.

There are also warnings that strong winds could cause it to drift.

Paul Knightley, of MeteoGroup, the Press Association's weather arm, said it was "probably the biggest fall of this cold spell, in Wales".

He said a system moving in from the Atlantic on Monday evening would meet colder air, forming snow.

"Across higher ground in central and south Wales, we can expect to see heavy snow - 20cm to 30cm, or up to a foot, by Tuesday lunchtime, with strong winds pushing it higher in drifts," said Mr Knightley.

"Tuesday is going to be a nasty day across much of Wales.

"We can also expect to see falls of 5 to 10cm [2-4 in] in parts of the Midlands. We are not sure how far north or how far south this snow could fall."

He said there "could be problems anywhere in Wales, or large parts of central and southern England, in the next 48 to 72 hours - people should check forecasts before going out."

Forecasters have also warned that there will be freezing weather for the new year, with temperatures expected to fall to minus 3C in most of Wales and England and Wales on Thursday night, new year's eve, and minus 8C in Scotland, with widespread snow showers also predicted.

Mr Knightley said: "It looks like it will be remaining cold until at least next weekend."