Downpours and thunder warning for festive trip
PEOPLE driving home for Christmas have have been warned of the torrential downpours and thunderstroms.
The Met Office have issued a yellow severe weather warning for thunderstorms and are warning drivers to be extra careful on the roads.
The warning is in place from 5am until 1pm today.
The warning is in place across south, mid and west Wales.
It includes Cardiff and the Valleys, across Swansea and Pembrokeshire and as far north as Aberystwyth.
According to the Met Office, rain, hail, lightning, strong winds and thunderstorms are all likely to have an impact on those travelling during this morning.
This can include:
■ Probably some damage to a few buildings and structures from lightning strikes
■ A good chance driving conditions will be affected by spray, standing water and/or hail, leading to longer journey times by car and bus
■ Possible delays to train services
■ Some short-term loss of power and other services is likely
At this time of year, travel is sometime unavoidable. The Met Office has offered the following advice for drivers when driving in wet weather.
This includes:
■ Even moderate rain can reduce your ability to see and be seen. A good rule of thumb is ‘if it’s time for your wipers, it’s time to slow down’
■ If heavy downpours are expected, avoid starting your journey until it clears
■ If you can, choose main roads, where you are less likely to be exposed to fallen branches and debris and flooding
■ Use dipped headlights if visibility is seriously reduced
■ Gusts of wind can unsettle vehicles – grip your steering wheel firmly with both hands
■ Keep an eye out for gaps between trees, buildings or bridges over a river or railway – these are some of the places you are more likely to be exposed to side winds
■ Roads will be more slippery than usual in wet weather – be sure to give yourself more time to react when approaching a hazard. Increase your following gap to at least four seconds from the moving traffic in front
■ Keep your eyes peeled on the road at all times as spray from other vehicles can suddenly reduce your visibility.
Heading into the new year, the calm weather over Christmas will change. According to a Met Office spokeswoman: “We have had a tropical maritime wind. That means warm air is coming from the south. As we get closer to new year that will change to a polar maritime which brings colder air from the north.”