Wales breaking news plus weather and traffic updates (Wednesday, December 31)

Animals on main road

There is slow traffic due to rolling road block and animals on road on A55 North Wales Expressway westbound from J25 Bodelwyddan Interchange (Bodelwyddan Castle) to J24 A547 Rhuddlan Road (Abergele).

Road closure for Nos Galan race 2025

A road closure is now in place in Mountain Ash to enable Nos Galan 2025 to go ahead safely.

It is now in place until 10pm this evening.

Crash shuts A-road in both directions

The A458 in Welshpool is closed in both directions due to a crash from Raven Street (Welshpool) to Coppice Lane (Castle Caereinion). Traffic is building.

Thousands to take part in iconic Nos Galan races tonight

Tonight thousands are set to take part in the iconic Nos Galan races as people take to the streets of Mountain Ash to welcome in the new year in active fashion. The famous New Year's Eve road race Nos Galan is routinely a sell-out event and sees 1,700 runners cheered on by 10,000 spectators.

The run honours the legendary 18th-century runner Guto Nyth Brân (Griffith Morgan), known for his incredible speed, with races held on his historic course.

Each year a famous face, whose identity is kept secret until the night, lays a wreath on Guto’s grave. Here, ahead of the 2025 event, we've taken a look at all you need to know.

Australia welcomes in 2026

The new year has officially kicked off down under with a stunning fireworks display. Pyrotechnics have been launched from the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House as crowds watched on.

An hour before the clock struck midnight, the city paused for a minute of silence to pay tribute to the victims of the Bondi Beach attack. The Harbour Bridge was lit up in white as a symbol of peace and unity.

Woman taken to hospital after collision involving car and pedestrian

Dyfed-Powys Police is investigating a collision on Northgate Street, Aberystwyth, that was reported to have happened at around 7.05pm on Tuesday. The collision involved a Blue Vauxhall Insignia and a pedestrian.

One woman suffered injuries and was taken to hospital to be medically assessed.

One man, aged 48, was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving, drug driving, and driving a vehicle in a dangerous condition. He remains in police custody.

Anyone with information or dashcam footage that could help officers with their investigation is asked to report it either online at: https://bit.ly/DPPContactOnline, by emailing 101@dyfed-powys.police.uk, or by calling 101. Quote reference: DP-20251230-281

Police shut road in Caerphilly

Gwent Police said the B4263 is currently closed in both directions between Abertridwr and Penyrheol in Caerphilly county.

A post from the force said:

Diversions are in place which may cause congestion. Please avoid the area if possible and find alternative routes for your journey.

How much one Welsh council could overspend on social services this year

The social services budget at one Welsh council is forecast to overspend by more than £300,000 by the end of this financial year. Latest figures from the end of September 2025 show a projected overspend for social services in Merthyr Tydfil of £360,000 by the end of 2025-26.

A report to the Healthier Merthyr Tydfil scrutiny committee on Tuesday, January 6, says this pressure is mainly driven by additional costs associated with increased demand, partially offset by increased grants and other savings. Read more here

Remote pacific nation welcomes in 2026

The remote atoll Kiritimati - also known as Christmas Island - has officially welcomed in 2026, becoming the first place in the world to do so!

Other parts of the Pacific nation of Kiribati will see in the new year over the next few hours.

Met Office issue 12-hour snow warning for 15 parts of Wales

The Met Office has issued a 12-hour yellow snow and ice warning for 15 parts of Wales. Temperatures are set to plummet as we head into the New Year and the colder weather is expected to result in snowfall across many parts of the UK.

The yellow weather warning comes into force at midnight on Friday, January 2, and remains in place until midday. The Met Office warn that "snow flurries" could last for two to three hours in some areas, resulting in up to 5cm settling on the ground.

The area affected by the warning are: Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Gwynedd, Merthyr Tydfil, Monmouthshire, Newport, Powys, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Torfaen and Wrexham.

Full story here

Traffic easing in Cardiff after earlier collision

Traffic has now cleared around Leckwith Road in Cardiff following a crash earlier this morning.

Major road in Cardiff blocked due to accident

Leckwith Road is currently closed in both directions between Sloper Road and Ninian Park Road due to a collision.

Police at scene of incident in Rhondda Cynon Taf

Polie are at the scene of an incident in Glenboi, near Mountain Ash. Aberdare Road has been closed since around 3am while emergency services respond to the incident.

A post from the force said:

The road is currently blocked and motorists are advised to avoid the area and use alternative routes where possible. Delays are expected in the area.

Police close road in Monmouthshire

The A4042 in Monmoutshire is currently closed in both directions between Goytre and Mamhilad. Gwent Police is asking people to avoid the area and find alternative roads.

A post from the force said Little Mill is still accessible from Mamhilad.

Today's weather forecast

Dry but increasingly cloudy for New Year's celebrations. Here is the full Met Office forecast for Wales today:

A frosty start to New Year's Eve with fog locally lingering until late morning. Remaining dry with light winds and plenty of winter sunshine throughout the day, though cloud building in the north during the afternoon. Feeling cold. Maximum temperature 6 °C.

Pockets of frost forming under clear skies in the south to begin the evening. Temperatures rebounding slightly overnight as a blustery breeze develops and cloud builds with scattered showers. Minimum temperature -1 °C.

Good morning

Bore da and welcome to WalesOnline's daily news blog.

The breaking news team is here to bring you all the latest news and updates today.

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