The Met Office has issued a warning for high winds with speeds of up to 60mph, particularly affecting coastal areas in Wales. After a week of heavy rain warnings and a month’s worth of rainfall in just a few days, the focus now shifts to strong winds. While there will be a brief break from the rain and wind on Saturday, another area of low pressure is expected to move in from the west on Sunday.
A yellow wind warning is in place from 9am on Sunday until midnight for a significant portion of Wales, especially coastal regions. The Met Office forecast for Wales on Sunday indicates increasing wet and windy conditions, followed by mostly cloudy weather on Monday with showers. The warning specifies that winds will strengthen from west to east during Sunday, with gusts of 50-55mph likely in some areas, particularly near coasts and over high ground, potentially exceeding 60mph in exposed regions. These conditions will be accompanied by heavy rain, leading to surface water and spray.
The warning also highlights that while winds are expected to ease across Wales and inland parts of southwest England on Sunday evening and night, coastal areas in southern and southwestern England may remain windy. The areas in Wales covered by the warning include Bridgend, Cardiff, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Gwynedd, Neath Port Talbot, Pembrokeshire, Powys, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Swansea, and the Vale of Glamorgan.
This warning comes in the wake of disruptions faced by commuters in parts of England due to heavy rain and flooding on Friday. Images shared on social media depicted submerged train station tracks in Shropshire and abandoned cars on a flooded motorway in Gloucestershire. An amber rain warning was issued for areas in the Midlands and the south of England, along with a yellow rain warning for large parts of England and Wales, both ending on Friday.
Meteorologist Greg Dewhurst noted that localized flooding may persist, especially in areas already saturated by recent rainfall. While conditions were expected to improve slightly and become drier on Friday, disruptions were anticipated in central and southern parts due to ongoing river responses to the recent heavy rain. Travellers were advised to consider potential delays in their journeys on Friday.
Overall, Wales braces for another bout of rough weather with high winds expected to impact coastal areas, prompting precautionary measures and vigilance among residents and travellers alike.