Winter weather advice

Weather

For the latest information on today's weather and forecasts, visit the Met Office website, or you can also read their blog.

Approximately 220,000 properties in Wales are at risk of flooding from rivers or the sea. Find out if you are at risk of flooding, and if so, how best to prepare, by visiting Environment Agency Wales. Floodline Warnings Direct  is a free service giving advance notice of when flooding from rivers and the sea is likely to happen. Sign up online or by calling Floodline on 0845 988 1188.

Flooding information can also be found on the three Welsh fire and Rescue service websites:

• South Wales
• North Wales
• Mid and West Wales

Transport and traffic

Should snow, ice or flooding affect roads, driving should be kept to a minimum. For real-time advice on traffic and road conditions, visit the Traffic Wales website. For public transport schedules and information, visit Traveline Cymru.

Road salt

Throughout the year Welsh Government and Local Authorities have continued working in partnership towards increasing the road salt stocks that each holds, to further improve winter maintenance resilience levels across Wales.

At the start of this year's season we will have approximately 243,000 tonnes in stock in Wales. This compares with 137,000 tonnes at this time in 2010. Orders are being placed to replenish stocks used early in the season during December and January.

Welsh Government are currently in the process of providing additional strategic salt storage facilities in North, Mid and South Wales to further improve resilience.  An additional 14,500 tonnes storage capacity will be brought on line during the course of the coming season.

Schools and local services

Key services such as waste collection and school closures are delivered by your local authority. We offer advice to local authorities  on when to close schools.

For details of how services in your area are being affected, visit your local authority's website:

• Blaenau Gwent
• Bridgend
• Caerphilly
• Cardiff
• Carmarthenshire
• Ceredigion
• Conwy
• Denbighshire
• Flintshire
• Gwynedd
• Isle of Anglesey
• Merthyr
• Monmouthshire
• Neath Port Talbot
• Newport
• Pembrokeshire
• Powys
• Rhondda Cynon Taf
• Swansea
• Torfaen
• Vale of Glamorgan
• Wrexham

Keep warm

Ideally, rooms should be heated to between 18° - 21°C (64° - 70°F). Wearing several layers of thin clothes will help keep the cold out.

There are grants, benefits and sources of advice available to help with heating or bills. Check that you are claiming all the benefits you are entitled to. For advice on energy efficiency, visit Nest (fuel poverty scheme) or alternatively The Energy Saving TrustMore information on winter fuel payments can be found through the Citizens Advice Bureau. Age Cymru also offers good advice on preparing-for-bad-weather.

Buying heating oil as soon as possible before the onset of severe weather can result in cost savings when the demand is low and means householders are guaranteed fuel during the coldest months.  It is also advisable to shop around for the best deal.  Advice is available from Consumer Focus Wales, the Federation of Oil suppliers and from the Energy Savings Advice Service (ESAS) on 0300 123 1234.

Keep well

There are things you can do to look after yourself in the winter months, such as ordering repeat prescriptions early and getting your flu jab

If a serious injury or illness occurs then call 999 or go straight to Accident and Emergency (A&E). If it's not an emergency, the Choose Well website is designed to help you get the right assistance. You can also try NHS Direct Wales.

Keep Well This Winter is a website providing information and support to people aged 65 and over to help them keep well, keep warm and keep safe over the winter months.

Help in the community

Severe weather can strike quickly, but a little advance planning can help keep people warm, safe and dry.  The wider community will also be better prepared to cope when everyone works together using local knowledge and resources in a way that complements local agencies and services.  

Identify family or neighbours who may need extra help.  Have their phone numbers to hand and stop by to offer help with grocery shopping or other essential tasks - it can make a real difference.  Communities can prepare by agreeing what can be done individually and collectively to minimise the effects of severe weather at home and work.

Voluntary groups play a valuable role in supporting local communities through difficult times. For information visit the Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA).  Local volunteering opportunities can be found at Volunteering Wales.

Bogus callers

Unfortunately, some people may try and take advantage of the elderly and vulnerable, but common sense advice and precautions will help keep you safe in your own home.  Only accept help from people you know or are from bona fide members of a known voluntary organisation.  If you don't know them, ask your caller for identification and check before letting them in.  They won't mind if they are genuine callers. Age Cymru has some useful advice on dealing with bogus callers. 

Business and industry

Severe weather can have a devastating effect on small businesses, making it difficult or even impossible to carry out normal day-to-day activities.  At worst, this could result in the loss of important customers - and even going out of business altogether.  Good business continuity planning can help minimise the potential impact.  To find out more visit Business Wales or call the business information helpline on 03000 6 03000.  The Federation of Small Businesses also has information on business continuity

If you are unable to attend your normal place of work because of the weather e-crime Wales  has some 'good practice' security advice for home workers, and on-line safety advice can be found at Get Safe Online.

Looking after animals

Winter weather can be hard on pets and livestock. Animal welfare advice for owners can be found on our animal welfare page.

Police in Wales

Each of the four police forces in Wales offers up-to-date advice on how to stay safe and secure during the winter months.

• Gwent Police
• South Wales Police
• Dyfed Powys Police
• North Wales Police

Across the UK

For information on what's happening across the UK, visit Get Ready for Winter. Information for Scotland can be found at Ready Scotland.