The Met Office has issued a new weather warning for Wales, with heavy rain expected to last for a staggering 27 hours, causing potential misery across the country. The initial warning for heavy rain was issued on Tuesday the 15th of October, from 6pm until 12pm the following day. This warning has now been extended until 9pm, covering a wide area. The warning indicates that areas of heavy rain are likely to develop and move northwards across the region. Some areas could see around 10-20 mm of rainfall, with a possibility of some locations experiencing significantly higher amounts, especially in parts of southwest England and south Wales. There is also a chance of isolated thunderstorms, particularly in the southern parts of the warning area, with lightning posing an additional risk.
The Met Office updated the warning on Wednesday to reflect a slight extension further east and a later end time. This extension means that heavy rain is expected to affect most of Wales for a total of 27 hours. The areas covered by the warning include Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Gwynedd, Merthyr Tydfil, Monmouthshire, Neath Port Talbot, Newport, Powys, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Swansea, Torfaen, Vale of Glamorgan, and Wrexham.
Matthew Lehnert, the Met Office Chief Meteorologist, highlighted that warm air moving in from the south will lead to temperatures above average, despite cloudy conditions. Parts of southeast England may see temperatures of 20 or 21°C, with mid to high teens expected elsewhere in the UK. However, the warm and humid air brings the risk of heavy rain and isolated thunderstorms, prompting yellow National Severe Weather Warnings for rain in southeast Northern Ireland, Wales, and western parts of England. Some areas within these warning zones could see 50-80 mm of rainfall in just 6 hours.
As heavy rain continues to loom over Wales, residents are advised to stay updated on weather alerts and take necessary precautions to stay safe amidst the prolonged rainy conditions.