HUNDREDS of motorists and householders faced snow chaos for the second time in as many weeks, as the wintry weather tightened its grip on tFlintshire.
Residents living in and around Mold and Holywell were left stranded in their homes after blizzards in the early hours of yesterday.
The snowfall was two feet deep in some areas, including Halkyn and rural parts of Mold, but the flurries turned to sleet and rain on lower ground in the morning, making many roads treacherous.
However, some parts of the county, including nearly the whole of Deeside, have been spared the snow and ice completely and are instead facing wet and miserable weather.
Cllr Tony Sharps, Flintshire Council’s deputy leader and executive member for environment, said the county’s gritters are primed and ready for action.
He added: “We have had huge investment this year in new snow ploughs and this has proved to be a good decision.
“We have seen some very strange weather over the past few weeks, including snow in places you would never expect.
“Our gritters are out three times a day, ensuring the county’s trunk roads and main roads are clear, to keep Flintshire safe and working.”
According to Met Office predictions, the cold snap is expected to continue in to the new year and Flintshire is facing a frosty beginning to 2010.
Forecaster John Hammond told the Leader temperatures could fall as low as -5 or -6 degrees on New Year’s Day.
The snow is likely to be replaced by thick frost, meaning more bad news for motorists returning to work after the Christmas break.
Cllr Sharps said: “We will be treating estate roads as soon as possible, but our main priority has to be the trunk roads and main routes.”