All home to school transport in Powys has been cancelled for Friday, the council has said.

Dyfed-Powys Police has also said the A4067 between Crai and Ystradgynlais has become impassable this afternoon, Thursday, and asked drivers to avoid the area. It said it has informed Powys council's highway.Heavy snowfall has closed 85 schools across Powys today and the council has advised against unnecessary travel.

A red warning – the most severe weather warning – for wind and snow has been issued by the Met Office for south east Wales stretching to Merthyr Tydfil, Monmouthshire and Rhondda Cynon Taf. The red warning, meaning severe weather is expected, comes into place at 3pm today and is expected to last until 2am.

Powys remains under a yellow warning, meaning severe weather is expected, which is in force throughout today.

The Met Office said strong winds will accompany snow and people should be prepared for public transport cancellations and delays on the roads and that interruptions to power supplies and mobile phone coverage is possible.

A raised amber warning has been issued for Friday with a spell of heavy snow expected accompanied by very strong winds leading to blizzards and drifting. There could also be freezing rain from Thursday evening and disruption to power and transport is expected.

Powys County Council said the majority of its waste and recycling crews have headed back to their depots with conditions expected to get worse today.

The council said on its Twitter account: "Snow and ice causing disruption across the county. 80 schools closed while the majority of recycling and waste crews are heading back to the depots because of declining weather conditions. Please avoid travelling unless completely necessary."

The council’s website shows 85 schools have closed with some in north Powys closing this afternoon having opened this morning. Ysgol Maesydderwen secondary school, in Ystradgynlais, has announced it will close at 1.15pm today and will remain closed tomorrow.You can check the full list of school closures on the council’s website http://www.powys.gov.uk/en/schools-students/find-out-if-a-school-is-open-or-closed/

Some schools, including Crickhowell High School and Ysgol y Bannau, in Brecon have already taken the decision to close for the remainder of the week.

The NPTC College said it has closed all its campuses today and Friday.It said in a statement: "The safety of our staff and students is our first concern and we do not want people making unnecessary journeys, which could be unsafe. We have made an early decision in order for staff, students and parents to plan accordingly."

All available resources are being used to assist the council’s gritting operation, it has said.

Bus firm Stagecoach has said it is cancelling all its services from 6pm and possibly earlier. Its T4, Cardiff to Newtown service, stopped running between Llandrindod and Newtown due to an accident at Dolfor earlier on Thursday.

The NAT Group has said all its Swansea services, including the T6 Traws Cymru bus to Brecon and Ystradgynlais, are running as normal.

Various social and sporting events have also been cancelled and the Crickhowell Walking Festival, which is taking place this weekend, has cancelled a St David’s Day concert due to take place tonight and is urging people to check its website for updates on cancellations. It’s website is https://www.crickhowellfestival.com/

The Garwnant Visitor Centre, beside the A470 between Brecon and Merthyr Tydfil, has also announced it has closed today and tomorrow.