Weekend flood risk warnings
WEATHER warnings for wind and rain have been issued for this weekend as two low pressure systems push across Wales one after the other.
The Met Office has issued a rain warning for most of the nation between midnight last night and 2pm today. A yellow wind warning has also been issued for between 6am and 9pm today with gusts of up to 70mph forecast.
A Met Office spokesman said: “A belt of very strong and possibly squally southerly winds will develop on Saturday morning with gusts of 60-65mph, perhaps 70mph on exposed coasts and hills.
“The winds will become more westerly during the afternoon and gradually ease across England and Wales. However they will remain very strong across Scotland and Northern Ireland into the evening, with possible gusts around 75 mph across the Western Isles.”
He said that delays to road, rail, air and ferry transport are likely, with disruption to public transport.
The agency also warned that delays for high-sided vehicles on exposed routes and bridges were likely, while there could be some short term loss of power and other services.
A yellow weather warning for rain is also in place for much of Wales betweeb 6pm tomorrow until 6am on Monday.
A spokesman said: “Outbreaks of rain will spread across the UK during Sunday with prolonged spells of heavy rain developing later in many western areas.
“A further 15-25 mm may occur quite widely with perhaps as much as 50 mm on high ground.
“Following heavy rain in these areas during previous days, flooding impacts and disruption to transport is possible. Strong to gale force southwesterly winds are likely with potential for leaf fall to exacerbate flooding in places.”
He warned the rain could lead to flooding of properties, with fastflowing flood water causing a danger to life. Delays and cancellations of public transport, disruption on the roads, communities being cut off by flooded roads and power cuts are also possible. The Met Office says
Wales, like much of the UK, is experiencing “typical” autumnal weather, and a strong jet system is pushing two low pressure systems quickly one after the other.
A spokesman said the country is experiencing the remnants of Hurricane Zeta, with its energy and warmth, meaning temperatures are not particularly cold despite the rain.
And that is being followed by what has just been named as Storm Aden, hot on the heels of Hurricane Zeta thanks to the strong jet stream.
It comes after heavy rain yesterday and on Thursday sparked flooding in parts of north Wales. Several roads in the Gwynedd area were closed due to the rainfall, and almost a dozen flood alerts were put into force.
Met Office chief meteorologist Frank Saunders said: “This week has been fairly unsettled and we’ll see this typical autumnal weather continuing over the weekend, with heavy rain and strong winds expected to bring disruption and risk of flooding to some areas.”
But there does appear to be an end in sight. Once the two weather systems have passed through, by early to mid next week, there are indications of dry, settled weather on the way – although it is likely to come with lower temperatures.
Before then, however, people are urged to keep an eye on weather forecasts, flood alerts and warnings in their areas.
Natural Resources Wales says local flooding from rivers and surface water is probable across Wales today and tomorrow, with further flooding then possible on Monday, posing risks for land, roads and some properties, with potential for travel disruption.
Local coastal flooding is possible but not expected for parts of the south and west coasts of Wales over the weekend and into Monday.
Gary White, duty tactical manager for Natural Resources Wales said: “The predicted heavy rain is likely to cause flooding up and down the country over the next few days and in to the weekend, so we’re advising people to keep up to date with flood warnings and alerts issued in their areas.
“Our emergency response workers will be at key sites checking defences are in good working order and making sure any drainage grids and screens are clear to reduce the risk to people and their homes.”
The Met Office has issued a weather warning for wind and rain this weekend