A large area of Wales is under an amber warning for rain until the early hours of Monday, with people warned to be careful as heavy downpours could cause ‘danger to life’
The Met Office has issued a serious amber weather warning lasting 15 hours, with three cities set to face harsh conditions.
The warning for rain, in force from 3pm today until 6am tomorrow, covers several areas in Wales – including Cardiff, Newport and Swansea. Forecasters said the area will face “persistent and heavy” rainfall throughout the afternoon.
Precipitations will clear to the east overnight, but will be followed by showers in the early hours of Monday morning. According to the Met Office, accumulations of 50mm to 70mm are expected over high ground inland, with the most exposed hills potentially receiving 80mm to 100mm of rain.
The national weather and climate service said heavy rain may lead to “some surface water and river flooding” and forecasters said strong south to southwesterly winds will also accompany the precipitations. The main issues expected are spray and flooding, leading to difficult driving conditions and some road closures.
Fast flowing or deep floodwater is also “likely”, forecasters said, “causing danger to life.” Because of the severe weather conditions, homes and businesses are also likely to be flooded, with some buildings at risk of damage. The Met Office also said there is a chance that some communities will be cut off by flooded road.
Residents may also face delays and cancellations to public transport, as well as power cuts. There is also a separate weather warning in the area, in force from 12pm on Sunday until 8am on Monday, which covers nearly all of Wales.
The Met Office said: “Rain will become persistent and heavy through Sunday, clearing to the east overnight but followed by showers into Monday morning. Accumulations of 20-40mm are expected widely, with the heaviest rain over high ground, especially over south or southwest-facing hills.
“As much as 80-100mm may fall in the most exposed areas, covered by a separate Amber warning. Rain will also be accompanied by strong south to southwesterly winds, making for poor travel conditions.”
The Environment Agency warned people not to drive through floodwater, adding that “just 30cm of flowing water is enough to float your car”, and urging people to sign up with them for free flood warnings. Met Office forecaster Craig Snell said it would be a “difficult afternoon, evening and night” for anyone travelling in the warning area.
He said: “The north of the amber warning area is probably where we’re going to see the heaviest of the rain. Quite widely in that area across the high ground, 50mm to 70mm of rain is likely to fall. A few spots could be up to about 80mm to 100mm of rain.”
Mr Snell said the rain was gradually making its way eastwards across the UK, adding that Monday would largely be a “day of sunshine and scattered showers”. Sarah Cook, flood duty manager at the Environment Agency, said: “Heavy and persistent rain brings a risk of significant inland flooding in parts of south and mid Wales.
“Localised flooding is also possible in the south-west of England and in Cumbria today and tomorrow morning. Impacts could include river flooding and surface water flooding from urban watercourses, drains and channels. Please plan journeys carefully and do not drive through flood water – it is often deeper than it looks and just 30cm of flowing water is enough to float your car.”
UK 5-day weather forecast
This Evening and Tonight:
Rain, heavy at first, moving slowly east overnight but still lingering across East Anglia,and southeast England by dawn. A mix of clear spells and well scattered showers following. Winds easing for most away from the far northwest.
Monday:
Rain clearing the southeast, leaving a day of sunshine and showers across the UK. Temperatures close to average in the north, but mild in the sunshine across the south.
Outlook for Tuesday to Thursday:
Sunny spells and showers for many on Tuesday. Rain for many on Wednesday, turning heavy at times. Drier and brighter on Thursday away from the far north and far southwest.
