Wales set for 46-hour wind and rain battering as new Met Office severe weather warnings issued

On Monday, the worst of the conditions are predicted to be in western areas of Wales. Further east, heavy rain (light yellow) is forecast to ease during the morning
-Credit:Met Office


A new weather warning for wind has been issued for Wales and an existing alert for rain has been extended. Put together, they show Wales is in line for a 46-hour battering from the elements.

The Met Office has warned of further weather disruption after a brief respite in the wake of Storm Eowyn. Heavy rain, strong winds and wintry showers could bring flooding and travel delays from early Sunday to early Tuesday, January 26-28.

Over this period, up to 80mm of rainfall could be seen in parts of Wales accompanied by gales gusting to 70mph. Yellow warnings for wind and rain were already in place for Sunday but, as expected, more have now been issued for Monday into Tuesday.

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Although they cover much of Wales, Anglesey, the North Wales coast and northeast Wales should see conditions easing later on Monday. Wintry showers are expected to be in the mix, with further spells of rain forecast on Wednesday, January 27.

Sunday’s wind alert is from 8am to 3pm. A second 24-hour spell of gales is now forecast from 6am on Monday until 6am on Tuesday. The Met Office cautioned: “A period of strong and gusty southwesterly winds is likely to affect southern parts of England and Wales through Monday and at first on Tuesday.

"Gusts to 60mph or 70 mph are possible near the coast, with gusts of 50mph possible inland. Winds will gradually ease from the west on Tuesday morning.” Sign up now for the latest news on the North Wales Live Whatsapp community

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Sunday’s rain alert is from 8am and continues until 6am on Monday. The Met Office has now extended this warning until Monday midnight. The forecaster said it could be disruptive with flooding of homes, power cuts and difficult driving conditions also possible. There is also a “small chance” of fast-flowing or deep floodwater posing a danger to life.

Strong winds will continue to affect parts of North Wales early on Tuesday, January 28
Strong winds will continue to affect parts of North Wales early on Tuesday, January 28 -Credit:Met Office

The Met Office said: “A period of heavy rain is likely to affect central and southern England and much of Wales during Sunday morning followed by some heavy, thundery showers. Quite widely, 10-20 mm will fall, with locally nearer 30-50 mm over high ground, particularly over exposed south or southeast-facing upslopes.

“It’s then possible that a further spell of heavy rain may develop and affect parts of England and Wales on Sunday evening, clearing early Monday. Should this be the case, a few places may see as much as 80mm of rainfall in total. Given recent heavy rain, this extra rainfall could lead to some local surface water and river flooding.”

Despite a blizzard of warnings, the coming gales not expected to be on a par with Storm Eowyn. Although the low-pressure system has been named as Storm Herminia in Spain, it hasn’t yet met the Met Office’s storm criteria.

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A Met Office ice warning for south and mid Wales ended at 10am this morning (Saturday, January 25). While it didn’t cover North Wales, ice still caused problems on the region’s roads.

North Wales Police this morning asked drivers to avoid the B5119 from Rhyl to Meliden in Denbighshire. A stretch of road known as the “Dizzy Bends” was reported to be “extremely icy”. Gritters were called in and motorists deciding to use the road were urged to do so with “extreme caution”.

From late January into February, more settled conditions are forecast, with temperatures likely to be “around or slightly above average”. The Met Office added: “As conditions become more settled there is an increases risk of overnight frost and fog.” Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox

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