Storm Darragh: Met Office Weather Warnings Issued for Wales this Weekend
Storm Darragh made its presence felt in Wales early on Saturday morning, prompting the Met Office to issue warnings of major disruption and a potential “danger to life.” On Friday, a rare red weather warning for wind was announced for parts of Wales on December 7. Alongside the red warning, yellow and amber alerts have been put in place over the weekend, including warnings for rain. With winds of up to 90mph and rainfall reaching 80-90mm expected in different areas, the severity of the alerts varies from red to yellow. Here’s a breakdown of all the weather warnings across Wales this weekend.
Yellow Weather Warning for Rain (Saturday, December 7)
A yellow weather warning for rain covers all of Wales from 3pm on Friday to 12pm on Saturday. The Met Office cautioned that heavy rain associated with Storm Darragh could result in flooding, affecting counties such as Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Cardiff, and more. The warning stated the possibility of 20 to 30 mm of rain widely, with some areas, particularly in Northern Ireland and Wales, expecting 50 to 60 mm, potentially leading to disruptions.
Yellow Weather Warning for Wind
Starting from 3pm on Friday until 6am on Sunday, a yellow weather warning for wind applies to all Welsh counties. Storm Darragh is forecasted to bring strong winds, with gusts reaching 40-50 mph inland and up to 60-70 mph along the coasts. The Met Office warned that such winds might cause travel disruptions and challenging driving conditions.
Amber Weather Warning for Wind
As Storm Darragh intensifies, an amber warning for wind was issued for the entirety of Wales from 1am to 9pm on Saturday. The forecast includes potentially damaging winds of 70 to 80 mph along exposed coastlines and 60 to 70 mph inland. The warning mentioned the likelihood of damage to buildings and transport disruptions.
Amber Weather Warning for Rain
Simultaneously, an amber warning for rain came into effect early on Saturday, lasting from 3am to 6pm. The Met Office highlighted the risk of heavy rain leading to transport issues and flooding, impacting regions like Carmarthenshire, Conwy, Gwynedd, and others. Rainfall totals were estimated to reach 80-90 mm in some areas by Saturday evening.
Red Weather Warning for Wind
A red weather warning was issued from 3am to 11am on Saturday, indicating a potential “danger to life” due to the destructive winds from Storm Darragh. Gusts exceeding 90 mph could lead to flying debris, fallen trees, and high coastal waves in areas including Cardiff, Swansea, and Newport. The warning advised extreme caution during this period.
Continued Weather Alerts on Sunday, December 8
A yellow weather warning for wind extended until 6am on Sunday and was initially issued from 3pm on Friday. As Storm Darragh’s impact persisted, the Met Office cautioned about potential gusts of 60-70 mph, with stronger winds likely around coastal regions. Travel disruptions and challenging conditions were expected.
In summary, Wales braced for severe weather conditions over the weekend as Storm Darragh swept through, prompting a series of weather warnings from the Met Office. Residents were advised to stay informed and take necessary precautions to ensure safety amidst the challenging weather conditions. Stay updated on the latest developments through our live blog as Storm Darragh unfolds across Wales.