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The weather warning for Wales has been upgraded to amber for the end of the week.

Forecasters are warning of heavy snow and strong winds across large parts of the country on Thursday and Friday.

The chief forecaster warned it could mean "severe impacts" on communities. For a detailed look at how much snow is forecast where you live, go here.

From Thursday, forecasters predict that another weather system, Storm Emma, will bring blizzards, gales and sleet as it meets the chilly "Beast from the East" later this week.

The storm, named by the Portuguese Met Service, will move north through Europe and is due to hit the UK on Thursday and Friday, and will be "significantly disruptive", bringing the risk of power cuts and transport delays.

The Met Office amber warning says: "There is the potential for a spell of snow, moving northwards over southern Britain on Thursday, to intensify and become heavy on Thursday afternoon/evening as it spreads north. As it does so, some places could also see significant ice build up overnight into Friday.

"This is likely to be accompanied by strengthening easterly winds. Long delays and cancellations to public transport could occur, whilst some roads may become blocked by deep snow, stranding vehicles and passengers. Long interruptions to power supplies and other utilities could occur."

Safety tips for driving in the snow

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The warning is in place from 2pm on Thursday until 8am on Friday.

(Image: WXCharts)

The chief forecaster for the Met Office added: "A weather system is expected to move slowly north through Thursday, intensifying and pushing north across the warning area from Thursday afternoon.

"As it comes into contact with the very cold air resident over the UK, it has potential to produce widespread snow, accompanied by strong to gale force winds.

"As less cold air follows from the south, there is a chance of snow turning to freezing rain bringing an additional significant ice risk. There is still uncertainty in how this system will develop, but there is a chance that the combined effects of snow, strong winds and ice will lead to severe impacts."

Snow has caused disruption in many parts of Wales today.

More than 220 schools have closed and motorists have been warned of hazardous driving conditions.

There is going to be little let up in the cold weather for the rest of the week, with warnings temperatures could drop as low as -15C.

Weatherman Derek Brockway has also warned of heavy snow in many parts of south Wales on Friday.