Traffic problems follow snow and wind weather warning

Wales faces another chilly blast of cold weather over the weekend, with the threat of gales and heavy snow.

The Met Office issued a yellow "be aware" warning for wind in north Wales and Powys on Saturday.

Forecasters also said most places were likely to see some snow showers by the end of the day, with gusty winds bringing bitterly cold temperatures.

A higher-risk amber "be prepared" warning for snow in south Wales is also in force for most of Sunday.

Amber is the second most severe Met Office weather warning - with transport likely to be affected by the snow.

Earlier in the week parts of Wales enjoyed temperatures of up to 16C (60F), according to the Met Office.

But a cold snap dubbed the "mini beast from the east" will see the return of wintry conditions, two weeks after much of the country was blanketed in snow.

Some places have already seen light snow showers with some people on Twitter reporting flurries in Newport, Cardiff, Wrexham and Holyhead on Anglesey.

The Newport Half Marathon, which was rescheduled to take place on Sunday after it was postponed because of snow two weeks ago, has once again been called off because of the weather.

In a statement posted on Facebook organisers said: "It's with a very heavy heart we have to once again cancel the Admiral City of Newport Half Marathon.

"The safety of everyone concerned is paramount and with the current forecast of snow, ice and a wind chill of -10 we simply cannot go ahead."

The yellow warning for wind covered mid Wales, Anglesey, Conwy and Gwynedd - with strong easterly gusts hitting 70mph (110km/h) in some places - was in effect until 15:00 GMT.

On Saturday morning Dyfed-Powys Police tweeted to warn drivers a tree had fallen down overnight, bringing down BT cables and completely blocking the B4355 between Beguildy and Knighton in Powys.

The force said the council and BT had been told.

The A465 between Brynmawr and Gilwern is closed for road works and is diverting traffic along the B4560 Beaufort Road - but Dyfed-Powys Police have warned snow and ice on this route was causing issues.

The council has been asked to grit the area.

Officers also said they had cleared a fallen tree that completely blocked the A485 at Pontarsais in Carmarthenshire.

There are also speed restrictions on the Britannia Bridge between Gwynedd and Anglesey and on the M48 Severn Bridge in south Wales.

There is a warning to expect wider disruption on Sunday, as snow blows into southern parts of Wales, covering south-east Wales counties and pushing into Powys.

The amber weather warning for snow is in place from just after midnight on Sunday until 21:00.

The Met Office's chief forecaster said 2-4in (5-10cm) of snow will fall across a wide area, with the potential for up to 10in (25cm) on higher ground.

It could make driving conditions difficult in affected areas, with the potential for more power cuts in places.

A lower yellow alert for snow and ice covers other parts of south and west Wales, with snow showers also pushing into north-east counties during Sunday.

The yellow warning for Sunday remains in force until midnight.

At the start of the month a cold spell nicknamed "the Beast from the East" caused disruption around the country.