A yellow warning for Wales has been issued for Sunday by the Met Office, forecasting nine hours of heavy rain. The warning, issued on Saturday night, is in effect from 3am on Sunday until 12pm and could lead to spells of heavy rain across the country. This warning comes as Storm Ashley is poised to hit the UK on Sunday, with winds of up to 80mph predicted. Earlier this week, Wales experienced severe weather conditions, including heavy rain that caused flooding in areas such as Wrexham and Caerphilly. The latest Met Office warning states, “A spell of heavy rain associated with Storm Ashley may bring some disruption to transport and travel Sunday morning.”
The warning anticipates that bus and train services will likely be affected, resulting in longer journey times. Moreover, there may be spray and flooding on roads, prolonging travel durations, as well as potential interruptions to power supplies and other services. The warning specifies that heavy rain, combined with strong winds, will move east across the warning area through Sunday morning. Most regions are expected to receive 15-25 mm of rain, with upslopes facing southerly winds possibly receiving 35-45 mm, reaching up to 65 mm in certain areas like Dartmoor. These expected rainfall totals could cause disruptions, especially considering the recent wet weather, before the rain clears by late morning.
The warning covers several areas of Wales, including Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Carmarthenshire, Merthyr Tydfil, Monmouthshire, Neath Port Talbot, Newport, Pembrokeshire, Powys, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Swansea, Torfaen, and Vale of Glamorgan. Earlier in the week, heavy rain in Wales led to flooding in various areas, rendering roads impassable, gardens flooded, and necessitating evacuations of some homes, alongside numerous flood alerts and warnings being issued. With more rain expected, residents are urged to stay informed and take necessary precautions.
The potential impact of Storm Ashley across the UK on Sunday is also being closely monitored. As Wales braces for more challenging weather conditions, vigilance and preparedness are crucial in ensuring the safety and well-being of communities. Stay tuned for further updates as the situation develops.