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Cold snap causes more disruption Cold snap causes more disruption
(40 minutes later)
Travel problems and school closures are continuing after the coldest night of the winter in Wales, with temperatures as low as -15C reported.Travel problems and school closures are continuing after the coldest night of the winter in Wales, with temperatures as low as -15C reported.
The Met Office has issued a severe weather warning of widespread ice across the country.The Met Office has issued a severe weather warning of widespread ice across the country.
Around 700 schools in Wales are closed on Friday due to the bad weather.Around 700 schools in Wales are closed on Friday due to the bad weather.
The Welsh Ambulance Service said it was still having problems with its services for routine patients and its priority was people with a "clincial risk". The Welsh Ambulance Service said it was still having problems with its services for routine patients and its priority was people with a "clinical risk".
Tony Chatfield, south east Wales regional manager for patient care services, said: "In North Wales, we are now trying to run as normal service as possible, but certain areas are still problematic and patients are only being transported where safe to do so.Tony Chatfield, south east Wales regional manager for patient care services, said: "In North Wales, we are now trying to run as normal service as possible, but certain areas are still problematic and patients are only being transported where safe to do so.
Click here for school closures for Friday 8th JanuaryClick here for school closures for Friday 8th January
"With regard to the south east of Wales, and central and west Wales, while major routes are generally clear, lower category roads, and residential area access roads are still extremely poor and treacherous."With regard to the south east of Wales, and central and west Wales, while major routes are generally clear, lower category roads, and residential area access roads are still extremely poor and treacherous.
"It is also likely that your hospital clinic will not be open, and some hospitals have suspended routine clinic services.""It is also likely that your hospital clinic will not be open, and some hospitals have suspended routine clinic services."
OVERNIGHT CHILL Sennybridge (307m above sea level): -15CTrawscoed (62m): -14CCapel Curig (215m): -11CPembrey Sands (6m): -9CRhyl (76m): -9CSt Athan (49m): -7CAberporth (134m): -6CValley (10m): -6CMilford Haven (32m): -5CCardiff Airport (67m): -5CLake Vyrnwy (359m): -5CMumbles (32m): -2CAberdaron (94m): -2COvernight temperatures around Wales. Source: Official Met Office weather stationsOVERNIGHT CHILL Sennybridge (307m above sea level): -15CTrawscoed (62m): -14CCapel Curig (215m): -11CPembrey Sands (6m): -9CRhyl (76m): -9CSt Athan (49m): -7CAberporth (134m): -6CValley (10m): -6CMilford Haven (32m): -5CCardiff Airport (67m): -5CLake Vyrnwy (359m): -5CMumbles (32m): -2CAberdaron (94m): -2COvernight temperatures around Wales. Source: Official Met Office weather stations
Roads and pavements remain icy in many areas, with some councils only gritting main roads.Roads and pavements remain icy in many areas, with some councils only gritting main roads.
Meanwhile, some 200 homes in the Roath and Penylan areas of Cardiff were affected by frozen pipes.Meanwhile, some 200 homes in the Roath and Penylan areas of Cardiff were affected by frozen pipes.
Welsh Water said the problem was caused after a pressure regulator on Donald Street froze and engineers were called to fix the problem.Welsh Water said the problem was caused after a pressure regulator on Donald Street froze and engineers were called to fix the problem.
Sporting fixtures have also been hit, with Swansea City's Championship match at Middlesbrough a victim of the weather.Sporting fixtures have also been hit, with Swansea City's Championship match at Middlesbrough a victim of the weather.
Cardiff City are still hoping their match at home to Blackpool will go ahead on Saturday, with fans helping to clear snow and ice from around the stadium.Cardiff City are still hoping their match at home to Blackpool will go ahead on Saturday, with fans helping to clear snow and ice from around the stadium.
In rugby, Saturday's Welsh Premiership fixture list has been wiped out, along with Ospreys v Ulster and Dragons v Connacht in the Magners League.In rugby, Saturday's Welsh Premiership fixture list has been wiped out, along with Ospreys v Ulster and Dragons v Connacht in the Magners League.
Sporting fixtures hit by big freezeSporting fixtures hit by big freeze
BBC Wales weather forecaster Derek Brockway said clear skies overnight meant another hard frost, with temperatures typically -5C to -10C.BBC Wales weather forecaster Derek Brockway said clear skies overnight meant another hard frost, with temperatures typically -5C to -10C.
The lowest temperature recorded was -15C in Sennybridge near Brecon, Powys.The lowest temperature recorded was -15C in Sennybridge near Brecon, Powys.
He said: "The snow showers will move away, leaving the day fine and crisp, lots of blue skies and sunshine to enjoy, temperatures though struggling again to reach freezing with many areas remaining below freezing."He said: "The snow showers will move away, leaving the day fine and crisp, lots of blue skies and sunshine to enjoy, temperatures though struggling again to reach freezing with many areas remaining below freezing."
The record low temperature for Wales is -23.3C set in Rhayader, Powys, in January 1940.The record low temperature for Wales is -23.3C set in Rhayader, Powys, in January 1940.
Temperatures are expected to remain below freezing in many areasTemperatures are expected to remain below freezing in many areas
"I don't think it will drop that low tonight in mid Wales but it could be a close call," Mr Brockway added."I don't think it will drop that low tonight in mid Wales but it could be a close call," Mr Brockway added.
On Thursday night, the Met Office station in Trawscoed in Ceredigion recorded -14C while ice formed at the marina in Aberystwyth for the first time since 1963.On Thursday night, the Met Office station in Trawscoed in Ceredigion recorded -14C while ice formed at the marina in Aberystwyth for the first time since 1963.
The freezing temperatures have brought another day of disruption for road and rail travellers.The freezing temperatures have brought another day of disruption for road and rail travellers.
The A542 Horseshoe Pass in Denbighshire and A4061 Bwlch Mountain Road in Rhondda Cynon Taf are both closed.The A542 Horseshoe Pass in Denbighshire and A4061 Bwlch Mountain Road in Rhondda Cynon Taf are both closed.
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.
First Great Western has suspended Cardiff to London Paddington services at 55 minutes past the hour and Paddington to Cardiff services at 15 minutes past the hour.First Great Western has suspended Cardiff to London Paddington services at 55 minutes past the hour and Paddington to Cardiff services at 15 minutes past the hour.
However, all services between London Paddington to and from Swansea are operating normally.However, all services between London Paddington to and from Swansea are operating normally.
Slabs of iceSlabs of ice
Councils across Wales say the extended demand for gritting is putting pressure on their salt stocks and some have only two days' supply available.Councils across Wales say the extended demand for gritting is putting pressure on their salt stocks and some have only two days' supply available.
On Thursday evening, Cardiff council said only a dozen principal routes in the city would be gritted, including the slip roads to the University Hospital of Wales.On Thursday evening, Cardiff council said only a dozen principal routes in the city would be gritted, including the slip roads to the University Hospital of Wales.
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.
The extreme weather has led to reports of large slabs of ice floating down the River Dee at Newbridge in Wrexham county.The extreme weather has led to reports of large slabs of ice floating down the River Dee at Newbridge in Wrexham county.
Sections of ice are also forming on the River Towy in Carmarthen.Sections of ice are also forming on the River Towy in Carmarthen.
In Denbighshire, the council has warned people to stay off the ice that has formed on Marine Lake in Rhyl.In Denbighshire, the council has warned people to stay off the ice that has formed on Marine Lake in Rhyl.
Temperatures had plummeted to around -8 in the area on Friday morning, causing the salt water in the lake to freeze over.Temperatures had plummeted to around -8 in the area on Friday morning, causing the salt water in the lake to freeze over.
Working overtimeWorking overtime
Ian Olson, coastal facilities officer, said: "People should not attempt to access the ice under any circumstances, there is a think layer of ice and the water below it is bitterly cold". Ian Olson, coastal facilities officer, said: "People should not attempt to access the ice under any circumstances, there is a thin layer of ice and the water below it is bitterly cold".
Glyndwr University in Wrexham has suspended the start of term until 18 January.Glyndwr University in Wrexham has suspended the start of term until 18 January.
Meanwhile, one of Britain's largest bakers says its stepped up production of sliced bread by more than 30% to meet demand during the cold weather.Meanwhile, one of Britain's largest bakers says its stepped up production of sliced bread by more than 30% to meet demand during the cold weather.
Braces, based at Crumlin near Newport, said they have sold the equivalent of two loaves a second over the last 24 hours - and will have produced a million extra loaves in the next 10 to 14 days.Braces, based at Crumlin near Newport, said they have sold the equivalent of two loaves a second over the last 24 hours - and will have produced a million extra loaves in the next 10 to 14 days.
Staff are working overtime, and an extra production line has been created to meet demand from their customers in Wales and the south west of England.Staff are working overtime, and an extra production line has been created to meet demand from their customers in Wales and the south west of England.