Met Office warns of 24 hours of heavy rain across Wales – Wales Online
The Met Office has issued a significant weather warning for heavy rain that will affect almost the entirety of Wales over the coming weekend. The warning is scheduled to begin at 6am on Saturday, November 23 and last for 24 hours, with some areas expecting up to 150mm of rainfall. The forecast predicts a deep area of low pressure that will result in prolonged and heavy rainfall across a large part of the UK during this period.
According to the Met Office, the rain and hill snow are expected to start developing in Wales and western England in the early hours of Saturday morning. The rain is then anticipated to spread to all levels by late morning and persist until early Sunday morning. Rainfall estimates range from 50-75mm across most areas, with higher ground areas in south Wales potentially experiencing 100-125mm of rain. There is also a possibility of persistent heavy rain becoming slow-moving in south Wales, leading to up to 150mm in a few localities, where impacts are likely to be most severe. Alongside the heavy rain, strong southerly winds are expected, which could worsen the situation in some areas.
This weather warning follows the recent snowfall in parts of Wales, which resulted in road blockages and school closures due to sub-zero temperatures. While temperatures are predicted to rise in the lead-up to the weekend, the Met Office cautions that this will be accompanied by strong winds and heavy rain. The forecast indicates potential risks of flooding, power cuts, and disruptions to public services during the period of heavy rain.
Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist Mike Silverstone stated, “A deep area of low pressure looks likely to influence the UK’s weather this weekend. While this will bring in milder air to most parts, it also brings with it some heavy rain and strong winds at times. It’s too early for precise detail, but there’s a potential for further warnings.” The warning covers a wide range of areas in Wales, including Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Conwy, Denbighshire, Gwynedd, Merthyr Tydfil, Monmouthshire, Neath Port Talbot, Newport, Pembrokeshire, Powys, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Swansea, Torfaen, Vale of Glamorgan, and Wrexham.
In the weather forecast for Wales on Wednesday, November 20, it is expected to be dry in the evening as winds ease, with cloud cover increasing overnight and rain approaching Pembrokeshire towards Thursday morning. Thursday is projected to be cloudier than Wednesday, with rain moving into southern regions, potentially transitioning to snow over hills. The weather is expected to remain cold, with blustery winds along the south coast.
Looking ahead to Friday through Sunday, a frosty start to Friday with wintry showers is anticipated, followed by wet and windy weather over the weekend, possibly accompanied by hill snow at times but also becoming milder.
With the continuous updates on the weather conditions, residents are urged to stay informed and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety and well-being in light of the forecasted heavy rain and potential impacts across Wales.