An amber weather warning has been issued, causing chaos across Wales with heavy rain and stormy weather. The Met Office has warned of a “danger to life” and has issued an amber weather warning for rain in parts of Wales, along with two yellow warnings for wind and rain across the country. The rainfall started on Sunday afternoon, with the heaviest expected to fall from 4 pm until Monday at 7 am.
The Met Office forecast indicates that rain will persist and become heavy throughout Sunday, clearing to the east overnight but followed by showers into Monday morning. Accumulations of 50 to 70 mm are expected over high ground well inland, with potentially 80 to 100 mm on the most exposed hills, leading to surface water and river flooding. Strong south to southwesterly winds will also accompany the rain.
Areas affected by the amber warning include Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Carmarthenshire, Merthyr Tydfil, Monmouthshire, Neath Port Talbot, Newport, Powys, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Swansea, Torfaen, and Vale of Glamorgan. The additional yellow weather warnings cover the majority of Wales between 6 am and 6 pm on Sunday, as well as parts of south Wales between 12 pm on Sunday to 8 am on Monday.
Travel disruptions have already started, with the M48 Severn Bridge closed in both directions due to strong winds. National Rail has cautioned about potential disruption due to heavy rainfall causing flooding on tracks and damaging embankments, leading to delays and cancellations. Several flood alerts and warnings have been issued across Wales by Natural Resources Wales.
The flood alerts indicate possible flooding, while flood warnings imply expected flooding requiring immediate action. The M48 Severn Bridge closure is due to strong winds between Chepstow and Aust. Congestion is reported on the M4 eastbound as traffic diverts to the Prince of Wales Bridge, with a diversion in place via the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge.
In addition to the weather warnings, Natural Resources Wales has issued a flood warning for the River Cothi at low-lying areas like Pontargothi and Pontynyswen. The warning warns of rising river levels, expected property flooding, and ongoing flooding of low-lying land and roads in the area. The River Cothi at Felin Mynachdy gauge is anticipated to continue rising until around 11:30 pm on Sunday.
The weather forecast for Wales this evening and tonight predicts continued heavy rain and a high chance of flooding, especially in the southern regions where an amber rain warning is in place. Coastal gales are expected to ease this evening, with winds calming considerably overnight. The minimum temperature is forecasted to be 6°C, with a brighter outlook for Monday.
As the situation unfolds, it is crucial for residents to stay informed and take necessary precautions to stay safe during these adverse weather conditions. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation and providing regular updates to ensure the well-being of individuals across affected areas in Wales.