A SEVERE weather warning is in place as heavy snowfall has hit north east Wales, closing three schools.

Lixwm Primary School, near Holywell, and Trelawnyd Primary School have been closed due to the weather.

While Wrexham has so far escaped the worst of the snow, Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog Community Primary School in Glyn Ceiriog was also closed.

Heavy snow has been reported over Rhuallt Hill in Flintshire but principal roads in the county have been described as “passable”.

A spokeswoman for the Met Office said icy roads could cause a problem as more snowfall is predicted over the weekend.

“A sever weather warning is in place for Flintshire. We are seeing heavy snowfall.

" There could be five to 10cm and more over higher ground. The problems are going to be icy roads.

“People need to be aware and keep up to date with the weather situation.

"Temperatures will struggle to rise above freezing during the day and could fall to -5 or -6 overnight.”

Ann Steele-Mortimer, who lives outside the village of Llanasa, said: “We have got quite a lot of snow. It started shortly after 7am this morning."

Argoed councillor Hilary McGuill, of Wylfa Hill, Mynydd Isa, said: “It is snowing quite heavily. It looks like it is going to stick. I have seen the gritters out this morning. Cars are not slipping or sliding on the hill.”

A spokesman for Flintshire Council said: "The current bands of snow has passed over Flintshire. All principal roads are clear and are passable.

"However, further snowfalls are expected later and we urge the travelling public to take care and check weather forecasts regularly."