Met Office issues 'stay indoors' message as red weather warning in place for Wales

The Met Office has warned people in areas affected by a red weather warning to stay indoors as Storm Darragh hits. The 'danger to life' warning is in place from 3am to 11am on Saturday as heavy rain and gusts of up to 90mph is set to hit Wales.

It comes after the Met Office issued two yellow warnings for Wales on Friday, December 6, as well as more yellow and amber warnings anticipated on Saturday, December 7. The Met Office has warned there could be 90mph gusts of wind for some parts. For the latest Welsh news delivered to your inbox sign up to our newsletter.

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The warning reads: "A period of extremely strong winds will develop during the early hours of Saturday morning as Storm Darragh moves across the Irish Sea. Gusts of 90 mph or more are possible over coasts and hills of west and south Wales, as well as funnelling through the Bristol Channel with some very large waves on exposed beaches.

"The strongest winds will begin to ease from late morning, though it will remain very windy with Amber wind warnings still in force until the evening." The affected areas include the south west of England and large parts of Wales.

The following counties will be affected by the red warning according to the Met Office:

• Bridgend

• Cardiff

• Carmarthenshire

• Ceredigion

• Conwy

• Gwynedd

• Isle of Anglesey

• Monmouthshire

• Neath Port Talbot

• Newport

• Pembrokeshire

• Swansea

• Vale of Glamorgan

The Met Office has warned for people in these counties to expect danger to life due to flying debris and falling trees, large waves and beach material being thrown onto coastal roads, sea fronts and homes, power cuts affecting other services, such as mobile phone coverage, damage to buildings and homes, with roofs blown off and power lines brought down, as well as roads, bridges and railway lines closed, with delays and cancellations to bus, train, ferry services and flights.

Those within the areas affected by the red warning have been given the following advice:

• Keep yourself and others safe; avoid travelling by road during potentially dangerous conditions. It is not safe to drive in these conditions.

• Being outside in high winds makes you vulnerable to injury. Stay indoors if you can.

• Don't risk injury to others or damage to your property. If you can do so safely, check for loose items outside your home and secure them. Items include; Christmas decorations, bins, garden furniture, trampolines, tents, sheds, and fences.

• People cope better with power cuts when they have prepared for them in advance. It’s easy to do; consider gathering torches and batteries, a mobile phone power pack and other essential items.

• If you live or work on the coast, beware of large waves, even from the shore large breaking waves can sweep you off your feet and out to sea. In an emergency, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

• Stay up to date with the weather forecast for your area and follow advice from emergency services and local authorities