Hello, and welcome to Wales Online's live blog for Thursday, February 15. We will be bringing you all of the latest news from across Wales - whether you're on the move, at home or at work - as well as the latest traffic and travel.
We will also be keeping you informed of major news stories from the UK and overseas. Contribute to the live blog by posting your comments below, or tweet us @WalesOnline to share the news that's breaking in your area.
Temperatures up to 15C above average!
Exceptional warmth is not just limited to us here in the UK.
Temperatures across much of Europe will be five to 15 Celsius above normal for mid-February over the next few days.
Serious accident closes Vale of Glamorgan road
Police are at the scene of a serious collision in the Vale of Glamorgan. Wick Road is closed from the junction of St Donats Road to Llandow Industrial Estate.
South Wales Police say: "The road is currently closed in both directions between. It is expected to remain closed for some time.
"Motorists are advised to avoid the area and use alternative routes where possible. Delays are expected in the area".
Heavy congestion on the A4232
Traffic is slow on one of the main routes into Cardiff after a break down.
A tanker broke down on the southbound carriageway of the A4232. All lanes have re-opened but delays remain.
Drivers stuck for hours as city centre multi-storey gridlocked
Drivers have been stuck for hours in a multi-storey car park in Cardiff with one describing scenes in the car park as "carnage."
St David's Car Park was blocked bumper to bumper on Valentines Day with the shopping centre blaming half term and congestion for the delays. Read more here.
UK economy enters recession
The UK economy entered into a recession at the end of 2023 after contracting by 0.3% in the final three months of the year, according to data from the Office for National Statistics.
Anna Leach, deputy chief economist at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), said: "December's GDP number suggests that the UK narrowly fell into a technical recession in the second half of the year. This brings to a close a pretty stagnant year for UK economic growth.
"The CBI's most recent surveys suggest this year has started better than last year ended, with expectations for services and manufacturing in positive territory and the drag from higher interest rates expected to diminish.
Met Office forecast for Thursday
Another cloudy, wet day with some heavy rain this afternoon. Here is the full forecast for Wales today:
A cloudy start with some fog around coasts, and some drizzle over hills. A damp day with some heavy, showery outbreaks by the afternoon. Breezy around coasts to start though winds easing. Mild temperatures for the time of year. Maximum temperature 13 °C.
Heavy, showery outbreaks continuing into the evening before turning drier from the west leaving patchy cloud and some clear spells by morning. Staying mild overnight. Minimum temperature 9 °C.
Good morning
Welcome to the WalesOnline daily blog.
The breaking news team are here ready to bring you all the latest news, weather and travel from across the region.
Time to get started.
