Temperatures dipped to another low of -13°C overnight, making it the coldest December night since 2010. That low was recorded in Lampeter, with -11°C in Tirabad, Powys.
Temperatures today are not expected to rise higher than 6°C as the Artic blast continues, and there is an amber warning for snow across the central belt of Scotland, but there is a change on the way over the weekend.
On Thursday, there was widespread train disruption after signals froze near Cardiff Central when a heating system broken down and there were delays on the M4 as ice was removed from the Brynglas Tunnels.
Read more:
BBC Wales weather presenter Derek Brockway said: "Temperatures last night plunged to minus 11°C at Tirabad, Powys. -13°C near Lampeter."
On the change, he added: "The coming nights less cold. Positively mild Sunday night into Monday."
The Met Office forecast for Wales says that some "freezing fog patches may linger" through Friday morning, but bright and sunny elsewhere.
It adds: "Showers possible at western coasts, these reaching further inland at times, and turning wintry over high ground. Cloudier later in the south and west. Maximum temperature 6 °C. Showers continue in the west overnight, and cloudy for most, although some clearer skies further east. Feeling cold with a risk of frost and freezing fog in the east. Minimum temperature -4 °C."
The outlook for Saturday says: "Further showers on Saturday, particularly in the north and west, these wintry over high ground. Drier and brighter further south with sunny spells. Winds increasing from the west later. Maximum temperature 8 °C."
There is a Met Office weather warning for snow and ice on Sunday morning, but it is expected to turn quickly to rain, and will be "much milder" on Sunday evening and Monday morning. More details on the weather warning here.
Met Office chief forecaster, Frank Saunders, says: "The UK will remain in a northerly airflow until the weekend but then the cold conditions, which have dominated our weather patterns will start to lose ground to a push of mild air from the southwest – but not without problems in the transition period.
"As the mild air meets the cold air currently in situ over the UK there will be a transient spell of snow, even to low levels, especially in the north. Add to this the risk of rain falling onto frozen surfaces, and strong winds over upland areas of northern Britain (bringing blizzard conditions briefly), and this could be a day to avoid travelling in some areas, although the snow should turn to rain later.”
Read next:
- Met Office snow warning issued for Wales this weekend
- The distressing things nurses on the picket line told us about the pressure they face
- River Ely freezes over in Cardiff Bay as cold snap hits
- A Cardiff neighbourhood has just been named one of the UK's coolest places
- Rhod Gilbert issues update to fans following cancer treatmen
