Snow and ice ahead in 'Russian' cold snap

Jan 1 2008 by Sally Williams, Western Mail

A COLD snap sweeping into Wales from Russia is likely to bring snow and travel disruption for people returning to work, weather forecasters warned yesterday.

Derek Brockway, BBC meteorologist, said the weather was set to turn “bitterly cold”, as easterly winds bring the risk of snow to many parts of the nation, with the possibility of travel disruption tomorrow night and during Thursday.

He said, “There could be up to 5cm of snow on high ground and a general covering of around one or two centimetres on Thursday, although I’m not sure that there will be enough for children to go sledging.

“Daytime temperatures will struggle to get above 2 or 3C and with a strong easterly wind and high pressure coming in from Russia and Scandinavia, it is going to feel much colder, down to -6C with the wind chill in places.”

Malcolm Weatherall, public weather service adviser for the Met Office, warned hillwalkers heading to Snowdonia or the Brecon Beacons to check the forecast before setting out.

He said, “By Thursday, highest temperatures around Wales will range from just 4C in places such as Cardiff, Swansea, and Newport on the Bristol Channel to nearer 2 or 3C in many other areas and just 1C in higher lying areas such as Merthyr Tydfil in the south and Bala in the north.

“In a strong east to south-east wind it’s going to feel very cold indeed.

“Snow is possible, especially tomorrow night and Thursday morning. There could well be a few centimetres of snow, particularly in parts of Mid and South Wales.”

But he added that the New Year is expected to get off to a reasonably mild start across Wales today, with afternoon temperatures rising to around 9C.

He said milder conditions are expected to return during Saturday but sleet and snow flurries are still a possibility.

The bleak predictions came as it emerged that it is now certain that 2007 will have been both Wales’ and the UK’s second hottest year since records began, beaten only by last year’s record temperatures.