Dec 28 2009 by Robin Turner, Western Mail
WALES is bracing itself for further heavy snow as forecasters said it could arrive as soon as tomorrow.
There could be up to a foot of snow on higher ground across Wales as a cold weather system moves in from the Atlantic.
It is feared that fresh snowfall and icy conditions could see a return of the widespread traffic problems seen in the run up to Christmas.
Paul Knightley, a forecaster with MeteoGroup, said: “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.
“Tuesday is going to be a nasty day across much of Wales.”
He warned drivers to be on their guard against the new falls.
“It’s quite a big snowfall, probably the biggest fall of this cold spell in Wales,” he said.
“It’s particularly badly timed because people will going back to work after the weekend break.
“There could be problems anywhere in Wales and large parts of central and southern England in the next 48 hours to 72 hours – people should check forecasts before going out.”
Forecasters have already warned that there will be freezing weather for the New Year.
Temperatures are expected to plunge to minus 3ºC in most of England and Wales on Thursday night, New Year’s Eve, and minus 8ºC in Scotland, with widespread snow showers also predicted.
New Year’s Day will also be chilly, with the northern half of Britain struggling to get above freezing during the day.
The forecast follows a spell of snow, sleet and ice which has gripped the UK for more than a week but relented in most parts over recent days.
Mr Knightley said: “It looks like it will be remaining cold until at least next weekend.”
The Met Office’s forecast for the next few days predicts snow and sleet for many areas with Rhyl, Porthmadog, Conwy, Holyhead, Anglesey and Welshpool expected to receive some of the heaviest snowfall.
Temperatures are also expected to drop sharply during New Year’s Eve when there is also a possibility of snowfall in parts of Wales.
The return of the cold weather to Wales and the rest of the UK follows the big freeze in the run up to Christmas, which caused traffic chaos as a result of ice and snow.
The snow and ice had thawed across most of Wales on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day as daytime temperatures reached 7ºC.
Jordan Trowsdale, 13, who was found dead in an icy river at the weekend, is thought to have been a victim of the pre-Christmas cold spell.
He is believed to have fallen in as he walked home from a skate park in Bishop’s Stortford, in Hertfordshire, on Christmas Eve.
Francis Wilson, head of weather at Sky News, believes said the UK will still be in the grip of icy Arctic weather next weekend.
He said: “During Monday and Tuesday less colds winds from the south west will bring rain into the south of England and Ireland.
“This will try to spread north but the freezing cold weather over Scotland and Northern England will not give way.
“The battle for territory will be over Wales and the Midlands. It will snow over Wales and the Midlands late Tuesday and all of Wednesday.
“The snow will be pushed back south on Thursday by Arctic winds.”
.Source:http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/uk-news/2009/12/28/new-year-set-to-bring-a-chill-as-snowy-weather-hits-home-91466-25478605/.
