Schools close amid first snowfall of winter

Image source, Cotswold Farm Park

Image caption, Prince the Highland bull was one of many animals encountering the snow at Cotswold Farm Park

Author, Bea Swallow
Role, BBC News, Gloucestershire
19 November 2024

Several schools in the West have closed for the day as fresh snowfall causes disruption.

Residents in Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Bristol reported snowfall in the early hours of Tuesday, with more snow expected to fall into the afternoon.

Chipping Campden School announced it would not open due to "adverse weather and road conditions", as well as Abbey View School in Tewkesbury due to a lack of indoor heating.

BBC Weather has recorded temperatures across the region of between -3°C (27F) and 3°C (37F).

There is minimal road disruption but some queueing traffic has been reported on the A40 westbound, the A46 Shurdington Road around Moorend Park Road, and the A417 southbound.

Further south, residents across Bristol and North Somerset reported a light dusting throughout the morning.

Unlike in Gloucestershire, there had been no disruption there because of the weather.

Bristol City Council said it had activated its Severe Weather Emergency Protocol until Friday 22 November, meaning anyone sleeping rough can access emergency shelter during the cold weather.

Image source, Kate Lord

Image caption, A first dusting of snow overnight is giving many that "festive feeling"

Skip X content

Allow X content?

This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read X cookie policy and privacy policy before accepting. To view this content choose 'accept and continue'.

Warning: The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.

End of X content

Image caption, This wooded path in Gloucestershire was turned into a wintery wonderland

Image source, Cotswold Farm Park

Image caption, These sheep at Cotswold Farm Park found their field a more wintry scene on Tuesday

Image source, Jane Williams

Image caption, Back gardens in the Cotswolds were buried beneath a thick white blanket

Image caption, The snow exposed the meandering path of some birdlife

Image source, Bec Leach

Image caption, Many Gloucestershire residents woke up to a covering of snow

Image source, Phil Gray

Image caption, The cold snap left behind soft and powdery snow