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18 December 2010
Last updated at 04:10 ET
More heavy snow overnight across much of Wales has brought new transport problems, with some police warning against travelling unless essential.
Up to 20cm (8in) fell in the worst hit areas, with 5-10cm (2-4in) in many parts, as a band of snow passing through Wales early on Saturday.
Parts of two major roads - the A470 and A5 - were blocked or closed.
The forecast is for more snow showers, and although they will ease off, it will remain very cold.
The new snow fell on top of Friday's compacted snow, increasing the difficulties.
The University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff and University Hospital Llandough urged employees to contact their wards if they can help out over the weekend because of possible staff shortages.
Dyfed-Powys Police advised against non-essential travel in their area.
The A487 between Aberaeron and Aberystwyth was closed to all vehicles, there was a foot of snow on the A44 from Aberystwyth and Llangurig, and the A484 from Cardigan and Newcastle Emlyn was described as passable only in 4x4 vehicles and with extreme care.
Grit stocks
The Welsh Assembly Government said it had enough grit stocks to divert to badly-affected areas to keep roads open.
On Friday the assembly government announced it had invoked its 24-hour Wales-wide "snow desk".
The gritting and snow plough service, run by the South Wales Trunk Road Agency, prioritises work and is aimed at keeping roads open.
Continue reading the main story “Start Quote
An assembly government spokesperson said: "Updates suggest that we have sufficient supplies of salt for our roads for the foreseeable future.
"Approximately 5,000 tonnes were imported last week with a further 12,000 tonnes due to arrive on or around Christmas Day."
A Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) spokesperson confirmed that the extra salt deliveries were due on Boxing Day and would be prioritised to councils in the south Wales valleys, including Carmarthenshire.
"Due to heavy snow fall affecting many parts of Wales over the last 24 hours, levels of salt are inevitably dropping as a result of more treatment needed to roads," said the spokesperson.
"The WLGA is keeping a very close eye on the situation and is in daily contact with local authorities over their supply levels."
Sporting fixtures off
Deputy First Minister and Transport Minister, Ieuan Wyn Jones, appealed to the public to limit travel to essential journeys with the bad weather expected to continue over the next few days.
His plea came as the weekend's sporting fixtures became victims of the weather.
Cardiff City's Championship home game against Burnley was called off, but Swansea City's match at Sheffield United is expected to be played.
Ospreys say their Heineken Cup game against Munster on Saturday is going ahead.
All Welsh Premiership rugby fixtures have been postponed and Welsh Premier football fixtures are in doubt.
Cardiff council said its cemetery sites will remain closed all day on Saturday.
A spokesperson said a decision would be made on Saturday evening as to whether the cemeteries would reopen on Sunday.
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Up to 20cm (8in) fell in the worst hit areas, with 5-10cm (2-4in) in many parts, as a band of snow passing through Wales early on Saturday.
Parts of two major roads - the A470 and A5 - were blocked or closed.
The forecast is for more snow showers, and although they will ease off, it will remain very cold.
The new snow fell on top of Friday's compacted snow, increasing the difficulties.
The University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff and University Hospital Llandough urged employees to contact their wards if they can help out over the weekend because of possible staff shortages.
Dyfed-Powys Police advised against non-essential travel in their area.
The A487 between Aberaeron and Aberystwyth was closed to all vehicles, there was a foot of snow on the A44 from Aberystwyth and Llangurig, and the A484 from Cardigan and Newcastle Emlyn was described as passable only in 4x4 vehicles and with extreme care.
Grit stocks
The Welsh Assembly Government said it had enough grit stocks to divert to badly-affected areas to keep roads open.
On Friday the assembly government announced it had invoked its 24-hour Wales-wide "snow desk".
The gritting and snow plough service, run by the South Wales Trunk Road Agency, prioritises work and is aimed at keeping roads open.
Continue reading the main story “Start Quote
Updates suggest that we have sufficient supplies of salt for our roads for the foreseeable future”
End Quote
Welsh Assembly Government
An assembly government spokesperson said: "Updates suggest that we have sufficient supplies of salt for our roads for the foreseeable future.
"Approximately 5,000 tonnes were imported last week with a further 12,000 tonnes due to arrive on or around Christmas Day."
A Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) spokesperson confirmed that the extra salt deliveries were due on Boxing Day and would be prioritised to councils in the south Wales valleys, including Carmarthenshire.
"Due to heavy snow fall affecting many parts of Wales over the last 24 hours, levels of salt are inevitably dropping as a result of more treatment needed to roads," said the spokesperson.
"The WLGA is keeping a very close eye on the situation and is in daily contact with local authorities over their supply levels."
Sporting fixtures off
Deputy First Minister and Transport Minister, Ieuan Wyn Jones, appealed to the public to limit travel to essential journeys with the bad weather expected to continue over the next few days.
His plea came as the weekend's sporting fixtures became victims of the weather.
Cardiff City's Championship home game against Burnley was called off, but Swansea City's match at Sheffield United is expected to be played.
Ospreys say their Heineken Cup game against Munster on Saturday is going ahead.
All Welsh Premiership rugby fixtures have been postponed and Welsh Premier football fixtures are in doubt.
Cardiff council said its cemetery sites will remain closed all day on Saturday.
A spokesperson said a decision would be made on Saturday evening as to whether the cemeteries would reopen on Sunday.
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