Council gritting teams were again working through the night to keep the county’s main roads open.
The minimum air temperature recorded at the county’s weather outstations was -15.4ºC at Pumpsaint and the minimum road surface temperature was -11.2ºC at Nantyci, just outside Carmarthen.
All primary routes are passable but motorists are being urged to take extra care due to the extremely low temperatures; as salt becomes less effective at temperatures below -7º.
Secondary routes remain untreated in the main due to the UK-wide salt situation and extreme care should be exercised if travelling on these roads.
One minor road in the Stradey area of Llanelli was closed last night at the request of the police due to icy conditions.
The council received a delivery of 125 tonnes of salt and a further 275 tonnes is expected today.
However, further deliveries next week are uncertain as all salt supplies are now being co-ordinated on a national basis by the UK Government via the ‘Salt Cell’.
The council’s current stock levels will allow for up to five days salting depending on the level of use.
To date, some 7,925 tonnes of salt has been used throughout Carmarthenshire – that’s three times as much as normal usage for an average winter up to this time of year.
Road surface temperatures are likely to remain below zero in many places today and will fall rapidly this evening and overnight to a minimum of -10.5ºC.
The forecast for the next two to three days remains cold with sub zero temperatures on each night; with the risk of further snow on Saturday and Sunday, with significant accumulations possible.
Director of technical services Richard Workman said: “We will continue to monitor weather and ensure the primary network is kept open and will continue to extend the spreading of quarry grit on the secondary network.
“All available staff have been redirected to assist with gritting duties with additional plant and equipment also being acquired to assist. This operation will continue over the whole weekend.”
