Met Office Issues Thunderstorm Warning for Wales as Month’s Worth of Rain Set to Fall
The Met Office has issued a weather warning for parts of Wales with an increased chance of thunderstorms hitting. Heavy rain warnings are in place across much of the south of the UK, with little respite expected on Thursday and Friday. Here are the key points from the latest update:
- A yellow warning is in place until 11.45pm on Thursday, with the risk of flooding across southern England and south Wales extending as far north as the West Midlands.
- Areas of rain, occasionally heavy, are forecast on Thursday in the affected region.
- Another warning for Friday has been updated, with a reduced area covered in Wales but an increased chance of thunderstorms.
- The warning areas in Wales are: Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Carmarthenshire, Merthyr Tydfil, Monmouthshire, Neath Port Talbot, Newport, Pembrokeshire, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Swansea, Torfaen, Vale of Glamorgan.
- Rain is expected to clear in the southwest on Thursday evening before returning with a threat of thunder, while the southeast will become clearer.
- A further warning will be in effect throughout Friday, covering a similar area in England and southeast Wales.
The Met Office has warned that heavy rain may lead to travel disruptions and flooding. Following Thursday’s rain, there is an increased risk of travel disruptions, power cuts, and communities being cut off by flooded roads with deep floodwater, posing a danger to life. Commuters and motorists should be prepared for spray, sudden flooding, difficult driving conditions, and potential road closures.
While Wales is bracing for heavy rain, the north of England, Northern Ireland, and Scotland are expected to experience fine, dry sunny weather until the weekend, with some patches of rain likely in the far northwest. Meteorologist Clare Nasir from the Met Office highlighted that there would be pulses of heavy downpours, with some areas possibly receiving up to around 100mm of rain over 48 hours.
In the forecast for Wales, outbreaks of heavy and persistent rain are expected to return to the south on Friday, gradually moving northward. Despite the rainy conditions, the northern half of the country should remain dry with sunny spells, warm, and feeling humid. The weekend is expected to remain unsettled and humid, with showers, further spells of rain, and occasional drier and brighter interludes.
Be prepared for changing weather conditions and stay updated on the latest alerts and advice from the Met Office to ensure your safety during the upcoming thunderstorms and heavy rainfall in Wales.