Snow surprise as Bath wakes to wintery scene

Bath woke to a covering of snow this morning as the torrential rain which crossed the city had a sting in its tail.

There were reports of up to three inches of snow across the city, making roads treacherous to those who ventured out.

Bus services were suspended as the sudden storm caught everyone out.

Snow also fell in Frome, Midsomer Norton, Radstock and on the Mendips, with up to six inches reported in some places.

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Several cars became stuck in snow near Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire Police reported.

The cars became stranded in heavy snow on the A363 Sally-In-The-Wood, both ways between the B3105 in Bradford on Avon and the Pump Lane junction in Bathford.

There was a crash on the A362 in Radstock.

Bath and North East Council sent out gritting teams to treat roads.

The B4069 at Draycot Cerne, near Chippenham, was closed because of flooding.

Bus operator First reported Bath services 18, 31, 41, 178 and 184 were suspended for a time. Services were running normally again by midday.

Elsewhere, flooding caused travel havoc on the railways.

Buses replaced First Great Western trains between Swindon and Bath Spa because of rising water levels around Chippenham. Passengers face 30-minute delays.

Trains between Swindon and Bristol Temple Meads were diverted via Bristol Parkway.

People across the Bath took the the social media site Twitter with reports of the falling snow and pictures of the snowy scene.

BBC Points West presenter tweeted a picture of the snow and said on @AliRVowles: "Heavy heavy snow in Bath. Car already stuck on driveway!"

Drivers faced testing conditions for a while on untreated roads.

@KathyLHoward tweeted: "Just got off the M4 at the Bath junction to snow, & quite a bit of it at that!"

@jenivieve said: "Did not expect to open the curtains to see snow outside. It is beautiful though!"

@IanAxton reported: "Snow - yes SNOW - in Bath this morning."

And @Ginbath said: "10cm of snow in 2 hours, but its melting now. All roads down the hill were impassable briefly."

Winter Olympic champion Amy Williams is currently in the French Alps but revealed on @skeletonamy: "Can't believe there is snow in Bath, I'm in Annecy looking at ski mountains with no snow, pretty warm here! Flying home to snow!"

But there was some good news for those hoping to celebrate Bonfire Night with weather forcasters promising only scattered showers although it would remain cold.

Send your snow pictures to news@bathchron.co.uk