A MISSING woman who vanished while walking her dog told pals she was going on a 20-mile hike just hours before she disappeared.
Ausra Plungiene, 56, has not been seen since yesterday morning in Snowdonia – where temperatures dropped to just 2C overnight.
Ausra, who lives in the Prestatyn area, is believed to have left her home for a walk at around 10:30am with her dog.
By 10pm she and her dog had not returned – and her family alerted the police.
Her car was located by officers in the Rowen area during the early hours of this morning.
It’s believed she may have headed towards Drum or the Aber Falls areas of the sprawling national park on her hike.
Friends of Ausra say she previously enjoyed walking the Rowen and Tal Y Fan Circular route – which spans 12.30km.
However one pal claims Ausra told her she was planning a much longer loop the day before she vanished.
She wrote: “Ausra. Please return home safely.
“You said to me Monday night you were going for a 20 mile walk to the 2nd peak in Snowdonia.
“I am praying for your safe return. Lots of love and hugs.”
The Met Office issued a yellow weather warning for wind in parts of North Wales on Tuesday afternoon.
Wales has also been hit with some light snow.
Earlier today cops revealed she may have been wearing a dark pink/purple padded jacket, black leggings and blue shoes.
Superintendent Owain Llewellyn of North Wales Police said all efforts were being deployed to search for Ausra.
He explained: “We are extremely concerned for Ausra’s safety and I am appealing to anyone who may have seen her or has any information on her whereabouts to get in touch.
“A number of resources were deployed throughout the night to try and find her.
“Her vehicle was located in a remote car park in Rowen shortly after midnight so we are working to establish which route she may have taken.
“Searches are continuing across the area this morning – involving a number of resources including air support, and due to the current inclement weather conditions, I would ask members of the public not to conduct their own searches, and allow our Mountain Rescue colleagues to continue their enquiries”.
It comes after Nicola Bulley vanished while walking her dog in January.
She was found in the river on February 20 – three weeks after she vanished.
Nicola’s disappearance sparked a mystery after her mobile was found on a bench still connected to a work conference call.
