STORMY weather continued to pound Gwent this morning as hailstorms and torrential rain hit many areas.

South Wales Argus: Reader Matt Rosser sent in this pic of hail in Torfaen this morning

WINTRY: Reader Matt Rosser sent in this pic of hail in Torfaen this morning

Gritters were out in force last night as preparations for more blustery winter weather continued.

Up to 10cm of snow was predicted in higher parts of Gwent this morning, with icy conditions making driving difficult.

Strong winds, heavy rain and hail battered Gwent yesterday, with poor driving conditions and fallen trees causing trouble on roads.

One lane of Gipsy Lane, Llanfoist, was blocked yesterday afternoon because of a fallen tree, while another fallen tree partially blocked the entry slip to the M4 at Junction 28 in the morning.

The A466 at Redbrook was also closed because of a landslip.

Monmouthshire, Torfaen, Caerphilly and Blaenau Gwent councils all had gritters out last night, after the Met Office warned that areas over 100 metres would be worst affected.

The Gwent valleys could also see very strong winds today, possibly causing blizzard conditions on higher ground. Travel could be disrupted, with a temperature high today of seven degrees centigrade.

Severe weather warnings are also in place for Thursday night and Friday, with strong winds and heavy rains across the area as well as a risk of further snow on higher ground.

Blaenau Gwent council officers have been monitoring the situation, with gritting crews on standby to go out again if conditions worsen.

Monmouthshire council vehicles were also out last night, gritting 13 routes that included Usk, Caldicot, Chepstow, Abergavenny and Monmouth.

Gritters from Caerphilly and Torfaen councils were also salting roads.

A Newport council spokeswoman said they would continue to assess weather conditions overnight.