Weather warning issued for parts of south Denbighshire

The Met Office has now issued an amber weather warning for parts of south Denbighshire with a yellow weather warning in place for much of the rest of the county. 

This warning will be in place between 8pm on Thursday, 8 January until 9am on Friday 9 January and is forecasting heavy snow which will likely lead to disruption and dangerous travel conditions.

You can find the latest information on the Met Office web page on https://bit.ly/4bmD6OA

Denbighshire County Council says it has deployed all available resources to respond to any weather-related incidents and will be supported by external agricultural contractors who will help keep open the rural roads network. 

It adds: "Our customer service team have been experiencing a high level of calls this week. Where possible, please report any issues via the online webform on https://bit.ly/4jw0qvw 

"In the event of any emergency situation requiring an immediate response, contact should be made directly via the out of hours contact centre between 5pm – 8:30am including weekends on 0300 123 3068."

#stormgorertti #KeepWarmThisWinter #WinterReadyWales #DriveSmart

llanblogger questions why pathways to wharf weren't gritted

* Frozen snow on the walkway from the wharf to Abbey Road this morning. 

llanblogger has been trying to find out why neither of the walkways leading to Llangollen's canal wharf from Abbey Road have been gritted during the recent spell of wintry weather.

Conditions on both of them have become treacherous. To negotiate them people were having to walk on the grass verge to gain some traction.

With more snow predicted for the area later in the week, this could be a real problem.

Denbighshire County Council says the Canal & River Trust is responsible for the paths, so llanblogger has contacted them to ask about the state of the paths. We'll let you know their response.

* The other pathway, also covered with frozen snow.

County puts Youth Centre car park use under scrutiny

* The busy car park at the Youth Centre.

Denbighshire County Council says it is looking into the use of the Youth Centre car park to give priority to the building's users.

Just before New Year Llangollen Food Share took to Facebook to say: "The Youth Centre has been quite inactive over the last year. Due to this, the car park has been relatively unused so has become quite popular with locals using it as free parking for town and by local AirBNB owners offering it out as free parking for their properties.

"The Youth Centre is now being used for community sessions and this will increase in the New Year and the car parking spaces will be needed.

"At the two sessions held over the last fortnight, there weren't enough parking spaces for attendees at the session. In particular there were disabled visitors needing to park in bays who weren't able to.

"Please bear this mind when parking. It would be a shame if the council input restrictive or penalty systems to manage it."

llanblogger checked out the situation with the county council and a spokesperson said: "The council look forward to reopening the building as a youth centre imminently and we are, as part of this, looking into the use of the car park to prioritise building users. 

"We are aware that both locals and visitors to the town are aware of the space so will consider options carefully, so to minimise disruption to neighbouring residents."

Snow is still with us this Tuesday morning

 After a fresh but light fall last night, the snow is still with us this morning (Tuesday).

It coats the roofs and pavements across town and there's quite a gathering on the canal towpaths and even on the water in the basin where it's fallen onto a frozen section towards the rear. In fact, one sizeable section of ice had broken away and could be seen floating towards the wharf - to be avoided by the ducks.

There was another wintry scene around the wharf and, just across the road, a good covering of snow on the railway platform and parts of the river.

There's no further snow predicted for today, with the forecast reading "light rain and a gentle breeze". 

Local schools closed today

Emergency school closures today notified on Denbighshire County Council website include Ysgol Dinas Bran, Ysgol y Gymraeg y Gwernant and Ysgol Bryn Collen.

A post of the Ysgol Dinas Bran website last night says: "Happy New Year and best wishes to you. The decision has been taken to close the school tomorrow, Tuesday, 6th January 2026. There is still a huge amount of snow on the school site, but moreover, where we have gritted, this has already turned to ice. With the forecast for freezing temperatures throughout the night, the situation is not going to improve. As many students and staff are travelling long distances, from rural areas, I decided to make the decision to close this evening to provide you with as much warning as I can and to ensure the health and safety of our students and staff. We will work on-site again tomorrow to try to ensure we can open on Wednesday. Sorry for the inconvenience, but I am sure you can appreciate the difficult situation. Thank you for your support, and I will keep you updated."

Latest gritting and roads update from county council

* A local farmer helps clear Cysgod y Gaer, Corwen.

In its latest gritting and roads update issued at 10.30am today (Monday) Denbighshire County Council says: "Further heavy snow showers were experienced during the evening and overnight periods, which has led to further significant accumulations and some difficult conditions across some parts of the county, largely across high ground.

"Gritting crews have worked continuously and most of the priority/main roads remain open and passable with care. The teams are currently retreating all routes and will remain on duty this evening and throughout the overnight period. Agricultural plough contractors have also been deployed and are assisting the Highways teams to ensure that the rural network remains accessible.

"The A542 Horseshoe Pass, School Lane, Eryrys and Gwaenysgor Hill have been closed due to the ongoing weather conditions, and every effort will be made to reopen these routes at the earliest opportunity and when weather conditions allow.

"Make sure you check the Met Office website for all the latest weather warnings >>> https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/

Invite goes out to wassailing event at Plas Newydd this Sunday

* Wassailing is a folk tradition designed to bring communities together in mid-winter.

People in Llangollen have the chance to take part in an ancient and colourful folk tradition at Plas Newydd on Sunday.

Wassailing is a collection of folk traditions designed to bring communities together in mid-winter and encourage a good harvest.

Many events take place around Twelfth Night in early January and include singing and dancing, drinking and general merrymaking.

A group of local people have arranged for a wassail to take place at Plas Newydd from 4.30-6pm on Sunday January 11.

Organisers say: "Join us for song, apple fayre and celebration as we bless the trees and stir the spirits of the land. Expect singing, noise, music, and a warm welcome for all.  

"Gather near the café area at 4.30pm ready for a short torchlit procession to the orchard. 

"You can expect morris dancing, a wassail ceremony to wake the trees with drums, singing and shouting. 

"There will be a fire pit to keep you warm, a food stall with warm spiced apple juice and apple cake. with all proceeds going to Food Share Llangollen.

"Wrap up warm with lots of layers. Head torches or hand torches are essential as it will be dark by the end of the event. 

"Feel free to make head garlands of evergreens, wear crazy hats or battery fairy lights. We need lots of noise to wake the trees – drums, jingle bells, pots or pans, baking trays and wooden spoons work well.

"As there is no parking on site, park in town ideally or the local vicinity and arrive on foot. Toilets are available on site.

"The whole event is outdoors, and therefore weather dependent keep an eye on social media for updates."