Angela Fergusonand
Dylan Greene,BBC Wales
Ruth Davies / Weather Watchers
A snow plough at sunrise in Llandegla, Denbighshire
Storm Goretti is expected to bring heavy snow to Wales at the end of the week.
The first named storm of the year is part of a new Met Office yellow weather warning for significant snowfall, which runs from 18:00 Thursday until 12:00 GMT on Friday.
“In some areas, 5-10 cm of snow may settle – with the potential for up to 20 cm in some locations,” say forecasters.
Up to 20 counties in Wales are expected to be affected by the latest weather warning, with travel disruption and school closures likely to continue.
The weather graphic shows the storm moving over Wales on Thursday
Snow and ice warnings are currently in place across Wales, bringing widespread disruption, as the new school term begins and many return to work.
An overnight low of -9.6C was recorded in the town of Bala, Gwynedd on Monday and into the early hours of Tuesday.
More than 380 schools were shut for a second day, with closures in Anglesey, Bridgend, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Neath Port Talbot, Gwynedd, Pembrokeshire, Powys, Swansea and Wrexham as motorists faced tricky conditions, after a number of roads were blocked due to snowfall.
With some students expected to sit English and Welsh literature exams in the coming days, Ian Morgan, chief executive of the exam board WJEC, said there was guidance in place regarding school closures, including the option of holding exams in the summer.
“I think if this was the final chance they had, then I could understand that they would be more concerned, but circumstances are out of their control to some extent,” he said.
“The opportunity will be there for them in the future to be able to sit that unit,” he added.
Residents in a north Wales village were helped to get around by a World War Two all-terrain vehicle
When will it snow?
Further wintry showers are forecast and a mix of rain, sleet and snow is expected later on Tuesday, with a Met Office spokesperson warning those travelling to allow extra time for journeys.
Carmarthenshire council said they have “activated its severe weather arrangements and is focused on maintaining essential access and support”.
Pembrokeshire Council warned conditions were expected to remain challenging, after a spokesperson said overnight road surface temperatures in some areas had dipped to -4.5C.
The council urged residents “to avoid travelling unless absolutely essential”.
“Unnecessary journeys place additional pressure on emergency services and our highways teams” they added.
Road closures and delays have been reported in counties including Carmarthenshire, Conwy and Gwynedd.
Pete Barnes
A snow-covered country lane in Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire
Dawn Stanworth / Anglesey Island
The unusual sight of a WW2 vehicle ferrying people in the snow in the village of Bethesda, Eryri
At the weekend, residents in Bethesda, Gwynedd, were treated to the unusual sight of a World War Two all-terrain vehicle making its way around the village.
The Studebaker M29C Weasel was designed to be used in snow and was intended to be used in Norway during the Second World War to halt Germany’s nuclear weapons programme.
While the mission in Norway was cancelled, the amphibious vehicles, designed in Britain and manufactured in the US, were used elsewhere during the war, including Normandy in France.
Military collector Andrew Singleton, 55, from Bethesda, who bought the Weasel in 2005 and restored it, decided to take it out for a spin on the A5, which was impassable to other vehicles at the time.
He said the vehicle, which has a maximum speed of 36 mph, “handled beautifully”, adding “everybody was pleased to see it”.
Mountain leader and rock climbing instructor Dawn Stanworth, 38, from Bethesda said hitching a ride with a friend around town in the vehicle had “made our day”, describing the experience as “really fun”.
“It made a lot of people smile,” she added.
How to drive in snow
What winter essentials should you keep in your car?
Driving in snow and ice can be difficult, but preparing can help.
Having winter tyres for extra grip, topping up screen wash and using anti-freeze are all measures that can make winter driving easier.
It is also important to plan your journeys, and to allow extra time and check traffic reports before setting off.
If your car does get stuck, do not try to keep moving if the wheels spin – it will only dig the car in deeper.
How to look after pets in snow
South Uist Vibes/Weather Watchers
Like humans, animals are at risk of hypothermia if they become too cold.
Raising pet beds off the ground can keep older dogs away from draughts, while cats may prefer playing or resting in high dens or on climbing posts.
Experts also recommend extra play time to make sure pets keep active if they are spending less time outside: indoor toys can help.
Your pet may want to eat more to help maintain their body temperature. They may also drink less, but make sure they have constant access to fresh drinking water to avoid the risk of dehydration.
You can find out more here.
Analysis – Derek Brockway, BBC Weather
A deepening low pressure, named Storm Goretti by the French weather service, will impact Wales on Thursday afternoon and overnight into Friday.
This will bring some heavy rain, but also heavy snow for some areas.
The Met Office has issued a yellow snow warning, from midday Thursday into Friday. The warning may be upgraded to amber on Wednesday, when more up-to-date information is available.
A spell of heavy snow is likely to develop over higher ground in south Wales on Thursday, before rain turns to snow more widely during Thursday night.
In some areas, 5-10 cm of snow may settle – with the potential for up to 20 cm in some locations, especially over higher ground such as the Heads of the Valleys and Powys. Strong winds may lead to some drifting of snow.
The rain and snow will then clear eastwards during Friday.
