Snow has fallen unseasonably early in some parts of Wales Drivers are being urged to take care on the roads as weather forecasters predict widespread icy roads in many parts of Wales.
The Met Office is warning the UK faces a 10-day cold snap, with the earliest widespread snowfall for 17 years.
A number of councils across Wales have begun precautionary road gritting and most say their salt barns are full.
Severe ice warnings have been issued for Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Gwynedd, Anglesey, and Pembrokeshire.
Councils in Wales insist that they are better placed than last year to respond to a return to wintry conditions.
Last winter it snowed every month from December through to March and some councils struggled to keep the roads clear as their rock salt supplies ran low.
In addition to what each council has, the Welsh Assembly Government has said there are 130,000 tonnes of rock salt stored for road gritting, with a further 38,000 ordered and due to be delivered shortly.
Deputy First Minister and Minister for the Economy and Transport, Ieuan Wyn Jones said: “This will be stored in barns across the country.
Councils say they are better prepared for the winter weather than last year “A different approach to how salt is used will also mean that it is utilised more effectively and will last longer.”
An icy mountain road has been closed all night after an accident involving two vehicles on Thursday evening.
Blaenllechau Road in Ferndale, Rhondda Cynon Taf, known locally as the Llanwonno mountain road, which links Ferndale and Llanwonno, was due to remain closed until 1000 GMT on Friday.
Meanwhile Welsh Water is advising householders to avoid frost damaged pipes as the winter weather strikes by checking that all pipe work, cisterns and tanks in unheated areas are well insulated.
The Met Office’s ice warning carries through to 1100 GMT but BBC Wales meteorologist Derek Brockway said Friday’s frosts and icy roads could be accompanied by 2cm-5cm of snow especially in the north and west.
He said: “Parts of the east and the south east may get away with next to nothing but it will stay very cold over the weekend.
“Next week will be very cold. On Tuesday and Wednesday, there’s a 30-40% chance of a blizzard, which would cause major disruption.
“This is only a possibility at this stage but it is worth keeping an eye on weather reports.”
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