shocking snow conditions with drivers 'dodging abandoned vehicles'

Heavy snow has started to fall on a number of busy Welsh mountain routes creating tricky conditions for drivers just hours after the awful conditions caused by Storm Goretti cleared.

Locals are reporting that some drivers are having to turn around on a number of mountain roads in Rhondda Cynon Taf, leading to authorities to ask people to stay away. There has been an "intense snow shower" on the Rhigos leaving the road "just passable" on Friday evening.

The snow, which started to fall at around 3pm, quickly settled on the road causing some cars to slid. 

Traffic on the steepest part of the mountain has been described as reaching a "standstill", as drivers tried to carefully make their way down the incline.

One driver said conditions are being made particularly tricky due to a number of vehicles that are at the side of the road after being abandoned during the storm on Thursday evening.

A witness said: "There are still vans that have been abandoned on the hill up from Rhigos which means you have to drive around them and be very cautious of oncoming traffic from around the corner at the top of the hill.

"The traffic dropping down towards Treherbert had slowed down to standstill at times. It was difficult to see very far ahead but you could see headlights and taillights of cars with some turning back."

Snow has also started to fall on the Bwlch and Maerdy mountains. On Thursday evening, all three roads were shut as driving conditions became dangerous due to Storm Goretti, with some people abandoning their cars.

A spokesperson for Rhondda Cynon Taf Council said: "An intense snow shower on Rhigos Mountain Road has made driving conditions poor on the mountain route.

"The road is passable however conditions are poor. Inexperienced or nervous drivers should consider using an alternative route.

"Crews are working to improve conditions on the road and a gritting tractor is currently treating the highway, but caution is advised.

"The road was gritted throughout the early hours of this morning and throughout today, however the volume of snow in a short period of time means conditions have deteriorated. Both Maerdy and Blwch mountain roads remain open."