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Freeze hits schools, roads again Freeze hits schools, roads again
(39 minutes later)
Plummeting temperatures in Wales brought a second day of disruption for drivers and many parents.Plummeting temperatures in Wales brought a second day of disruption for drivers and many parents.
Motorists faced hazardous driving conditions of ice upon snow as councils say their salts stock are running low.Motorists faced hazardous driving conditions of ice upon snow as councils say their salts stock are running low.
Nearly 1,000 schools stayed closed on Thursday, with 300 already set to close again on Friday.Nearly 1,000 schools stayed closed on Thursday, with 300 already set to close again on Friday.
Ice formed at the marina in Aberystwyth for the first time since 1963 and a temperature of -14C was recorded at nearby Trawscoed in Ceredigion.Ice formed at the marina in Aberystwyth for the first time since 1963 and a temperature of -14C was recorded at nearby Trawscoed in Ceredigion.
Ice also formed in part of Aberaeron harbour just down the coast.
The Met Office said the prolonged cold spell, with clear skies overnight, meant drivers face more treacherous conditions with widespread icy roads.The Met Office said the prolonged cold spell, with clear skies overnight, meant drivers face more treacherous conditions with widespread icy roads.
Click here for school closures so far for Friday 8th January Most parts of the country experienced freezing conditions and a severe weather warning remaining in place for the whole country.Click here for school closures so far for Friday 8th January Most parts of the country experienced freezing conditions and a severe weather warning remaining in place for the whole country.
As well as Trawscoed, the National Botanic Garden of Wales in Carmarthenshire also said they had recorded a temperature of -14C on Thursday morning.As well as Trawscoed, the National Botanic Garden of Wales in Carmarthenshire also said they had recorded a temperature of -14C on Thursday morning.
BIG FREEZEBIG FREEZE
Derek Brockway, BBC Wales weather forecasterDerek Brockway, BBC Wales weather forecaster
Of course, cold snaps in winter are not unusual but this one is much longer than we're used to.Of course, cold snaps in winter are not unusual but this one is much longer than we're used to.
In fact it's the worst in Britain for about 30 years. So what's caused it?In fact it's the worst in Britain for about 30 years. So what's caused it?
Well basically the weather pattern is stuck in a rut.Well basically the weather pattern is stuck in a rut.
We've got high pressure to the north of Britain. It's what we call a blocking high.We've got high pressure to the north of Britain. It's what we call a blocking high.
These can occur at any time of the year and can last for several weeks.These can occur at any time of the year and can last for several weeks.
They can bring us lovely, warm weather in April and May but, in winter, high pressure to the north of Britain means bitterly cold north-easterly winds.They can bring us lovely, warm weather in April and May but, in winter, high pressure to the north of Britain means bitterly cold north-easterly winds.
The jet stream at the moment is way to the south, so Spain is getting all the rain.The jet stream at the moment is way to the south, so Spain is getting all the rain.
More on Derek's weather blog Hospitals' plea over ice falls Round-up of council gritting stocks School closure list for FridayMore on Derek's weather blog Hospitals' plea over ice falls Round-up of council gritting stocks School closure list for Friday
The Met Office said widespread ice was expected to persist, especially on untreated roads and pavements.The Met Office said widespread ice was expected to persist, especially on untreated roads and pavements.
Around 1,000 schools were closed again on Thursday including all schools in the Vale of Glamorgan, and many in Caerphilly, Cardiff, Denbighshire, Flintshire and Rhondda Cynon Taf.Around 1,000 schools were closed again on Thursday including all schools in the Vale of Glamorgan, and many in Caerphilly, Cardiff, Denbighshire, Flintshire and Rhondda Cynon Taf.
Dyfed-Powys Police said at 07.30 GMT that heavy snow was still falling across the whole of Pembrokeshire, reaching as far as St Clears in Carmarthenshire.Dyfed-Powys Police said at 07.30 GMT that heavy snow was still falling across the whole of Pembrokeshire, reaching as far as St Clears in Carmarthenshire.
The force said roads were poor in Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion, though they are passable with care. But people are being urged to stay indoors and only make essential journeys.The force said roads were poor in Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion, though they are passable with care. But people are being urged to stay indoors and only make essential journeys.
A 29-year-old man was freed by firefighters and flown to hospital with crush injuries after being trapped under a fallen tree on snow-covered farmland at Ty Nant near Corwen.
Meanwhile, a retired teacher from Buckley, Flintshire died in a road crash on the Shetland islands.
The Federation of Small Businesses in Wales estimates the current cold spell is costing Wales around £25m in lost productivity each day.The Federation of Small Businesses in Wales estimates the current cold spell is costing Wales around £25m in lost productivity each day.
Spokesman Simon Evans said some workers were struggling to get into work due to the state of the minor roads and problems with public transport.Spokesman Simon Evans said some workers were struggling to get into work due to the state of the minor roads and problems with public transport.
"Add to that the fact people are having to stay at home to look after their child care demands," he added."Add to that the fact people are having to stay at home to look after their child care demands," he added.
Buses in Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, Swansea, Neath, Bridgend, Maesteg and Cardiff are running but are mostly keeping to the main roads and are not venturing on to side streets.Buses in Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, Swansea, Neath, Bridgend, Maesteg and Cardiff are running but are mostly keeping to the main roads and are not venturing on to side streets.
People travelling by public transport are urged to check their operators' website for information.People travelling by public transport are urged to check their operators' website for information.
The assembly government said it was giving extra supplies of gritting salt to some local authorities as many report their supplies are under pressures after days of round-the-clock salting to keep main routes open.The assembly government said it was giving extra supplies of gritting salt to some local authorities as many report their supplies are under pressures after days of round-the-clock salting to keep main routes open.
Freezing temperatures overnight are set to bring hazardous icy conditionsFreezing temperatures overnight are set to bring hazardous icy conditions
Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones said the assembly government had been working with local authorities over the past 12 months to ensure a "significant increase" in salt stock levels over last year.Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones said the assembly government had been working with local authorities over the past 12 months to ensure a "significant increase" in salt stock levels over last year.
He said: "In addition to providing some local authorities with additional salt supplies, we are liaising with suppliers to assist in the prioritisation of deliveries to local authorities."He said: "In addition to providing some local authorities with additional salt supplies, we are liaising with suppliers to assist in the prioritisation of deliveries to local authorities."
North Wales Police is reminding motorists to take precautions when driving on icy or snow covered roads.North Wales Police is reminding motorists to take precautions when driving on icy or snow covered roads.
Traffic Wales is warning that a number of mountain and rural roads remain closed or have difficult driving conditions due to snow.Traffic Wales is warning that a number of mountain and rural roads remain closed or have difficult driving conditions due to snow.
Routine out-patient appointments at Prince Charles Hospital in Merthyr Tydfil on Thursday have been cancelled.Routine out-patient appointments at Prince Charles Hospital in Merthyr Tydfil on Thursday have been cancelled.
However, routine operations and outpatient clinics at Ysbyty Gwynedd, Wrexham Maelor Hospital and Ysbyty Glan Clwyd are returning after cancellations on Wednesday.However, routine operations and outpatient clinics at Ysbyty Gwynedd, Wrexham Maelor Hospital and Ysbyty Glan Clwyd are returning after cancellations on Wednesday.
Saturday's National Hunt card at the Ffos Las horse racing course in Carmarthenshire has been abandoned due to frost and snow.Saturday's National Hunt card at the Ffos Las horse racing course in Carmarthenshire has been abandoned due to frost and snow.
The Pembrokeshire tourist attraction Folly Farm said it would be closed on Saturday and Sunday due to the adverse weather conditions.The Pembrokeshire tourist attraction Folly Farm said it would be closed on Saturday and Sunday due to the adverse weather conditions.
In Carmarthen, the fat stock market is also cancelled. It is scheduled to take place on Friday, to be included with the monthly cattle and pig sale.In Carmarthen, the fat stock market is also cancelled. It is scheduled to take place on Friday, to be included with the monthly cattle and pig sale.
Cardiff's UWIC has said that all exams scheduled to be held at its Cyncoed campus on Thursday have been cancelled.Cardiff's UWIC has said that all exams scheduled to be held at its Cyncoed campus on Thursday have been cancelled.