February 13, 2026 - 216 views
Residents across North West Wales have been urged to take extra care today after the Met Office issued a 17-hour weather alert for ice, covering Gwynedd, Conwy and Denbighshire from 5pm today until 10 am tomorrow.
The alert comes as temperatures plunge close to freezing and wintry conditions affect much of the UK, with nationwide ice and snow warnings in place.
The ice alert means untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths could become slippery, increasing the risk of travel disruption, slips and falls. Motorists and pedestrians have been advised to drive and walk with caution, allow extra time for journeys, and consider main roads that are more likely to have been gritted by highways teams.
Forecasters say a band of rain, sleet and a little snow on hills will move southwards across Wales and England this evening and overnight. As these showers clear, skies will become clearer and temperatures will quickly fall below freezing, setting the scene for icy surfaces through Friday morning.
The chilly air affecting Wales is part of a larger Arctic maritime air mass moving southwards from Scotland, bringing colder conditions and weather warnings for much of the UK this weekend. Yellow alerts for snow and ice have been issued across parts of northern England, Scotland and Wales, reflecting the widespread risk of icy travel and wintry showers.
In some regions, the Met Office predicts snow showers could fall to low levels, with accumulations of 1–3 cm possible in places, and higher amounts on hills and mountains. While North Wales’ coastal lowlands are more likely to see sleet and rain than heavy snow, higher terrain such as Snowdon and other uplands in Gwynedd remains at risk of significant snowfall and bitterly cold conditions.
At the summit of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), temperatures are forecast to remain well below freezing over the weekend, with heavy snow and winds gusting up to 60 mph, posing hazards for walkers and outdoor enthusiasts.
Across the UK today, conditions will be cold and unsettled. Central and northern areas, including northern England and Scotland, are expected to see outbreaks of rain turning to snow showers, with icy patches widespread by tonight. Southern England should see a mix of cloud and rain but remain comparatively milder.
Here in North Wales, coastal towns such as Llandudno and Bangor are likely to experience light rain and chillier temperatures today, with daytime highs only around 5–6 °C and winds adding to the cold feel.
The wintry conditions are expected to persist through the weekend: Saturday: A frosty start is forecast for many areas, with clearer skies and a spell of sunshine expected in parts of North Wales before showers later in the day. Daytime temperatures will struggle to climb above single figures.
Sunday: Milder air is expected to move in from the west, bringing light rain and occasional showers. Snow may still be possible on higher ground early in the day before turning to rain.
Despite a brief improvement, the unsettled conditions are likely to return by early next week, with a mix of rain, strong winds and occasional snow showers as Atlantic systems push in.
