Met Office warns of 'weather bomb' this week - how will it impact South Wales
A “weather bomb” is set to bring strong winds, heavy rain and some snow to the UK this week.
Gusts of more than 80mph could cause power cuts, travel disruption and damage to buildings with a yellow wind warning issued for some parts of the country by the Met Office.
There could also be a danger to life caused by flying debris.
The first half of the week will be “benign” with grey, cloudy weather and outbreaks of rain before the arrival of more unsettled conditions from Thursday (January 23), according to the forecast.
There is some uncertainty with the exact track of the low pressure system for later in the week - Here are our current thoughts 👇 pic.twitter.com/11dq0Y9SFo
— Met Office (@metoffice) January 20, 2025
What is a "weather bomb"?
A “weather bomb” occurs when central pressure inside of a larger low-pressure system falls at a rapid rate over 24 hours, the Met Office explains.
This creates a peak of violent winds that are strong enough to bring down trees and cause structural damage.
The conditions for this particular 'weather bomb' are being caused by a powerful jet stream pushing the low pressure across the Atlantic and towards the UK, the Met Office said.
An initial front will bring heavy rain eastwards on Thursday (January 23), with 20 to 30mm of rainfall likely across north Wales and north-west England, while some hill snow is possible over the Scottish mountains.
The “weather bomb” will develop while still out over the Atlantic on Thursday and will be “a mature feature” when it arrives in over the UK on Friday (January 24), Met Office deputy chief meteorologist Chris Almond added.
Yellow weather warning issued due to 'weather bomb'
The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning due to strong winds will be in place from 12am on Friday (January 24) until 12pm on Saturday (January 25) across Northern Ireland and the western half of Scotland.
Very strong south-easterly to south-westerly winds will see gusts reach 50 to 60mph inland and 70 to 80 mph along coastal areas.
The Met Office has advised people to secure loose items outside their homes, including bins, garden furniture, trampolines and sheds, while gathering torches and batteries in case of a power cut.
⚠️ Yellow weather warning issued ⚠️
Strong winds across Northern Ireland and northern & western Scotland
Friday 00:00 – Saturday 12:00
Latest info 👉 https://t.co/QwDLMfS950
Stay #WeatherAware⚠️ pic.twitter.com/WorzdkKPGf— Met Office (@metoffice) January 20, 2025
Potential for named storm and more weather warnings
Mr Almond said these warnings could change closer to the time and warned people to watch the Met Office for further updates.
He said: "We have issued a yellow weather warning for wind, and with several days before the impactful weather, the forecast details are likely to be fine-tuned during the week, so stay tuned to your local forecast and keep up to date with Met Office warnings.”
There is also the potential for a named storm and/or further weather warnings over the weekend and into next week, the forecaster added, with more wet and windy conditions expected.
What different Met Office weather warnings mean
How will the "weather bomb" impact South Wales?
Heavy rain and winds of up to 44mph are forecast across south Wales - including Newport, Monmouthshire, Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly and Torfaen - on Friday, according to the Met Office forecast.
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These conditions are expected to ease as the day goes on and into Saturday.
The Met Office forecast adds: "Showery rain is possible in places on Wednesday and feeling chilly with perhaps frost and fog overnight.
"Turning increasingly unsettled from Thursday with gales and heavy rain likely by Friday."