4 hours Ago By [email protected] (Ffion Lewis)
The Met Office has issued a mammoth 24-hour weather warning for heavy rain covering nearly the whole of Wales this weekend. The warning comes into place at 6am on Saturday, November 23 until 6am on Sunday with 150mm of rainfall expected in some places. The full warning reads: "A deep area of low pressure is expected to bring a spell of prolonged and, at times, heavy rainfall across a large part of the UK this weekend.
Across Wales and western England, rain and hill snow is expected to develop during the early hours of Saturday morning before falling as rain to all levels by late morning and continuing through to early Sunday morning. "50-75 mm of rain is expected to fall fairly widely with 100-125 mm of rain over higher ground, particularly in south Wales. There is a chance that prolonged heavy rain could become slow-moving over south Wales with up to 150 mm possible in a few places and it is here where impacts are most likely.
Strong southerly winds will accompany the heavy rain and may locally exacerbate impacts." The warning comes after parts of Wales saw the first snowfall of the winter as roads were blocked and hundreds of schools closed as temperatures dropped to minus degrees. You can see pictures from across Wales here.
While temperatures are expected to rise throughout the week ahead of the weekend, the Met Office says this will be accompanied by some strong winds and heavy rain. The forecaster has warned that during the period of heavy rain, flooding, power cuts and delays to public services are possible. In an update the Met Office said that temperatures are likely to increase from the southwest this weekend, though this will be accompanied by some strong winds and heavy rain.
There’s also likely to be further snowfall in the north for a time, mainly over higher ground, as part of the transition to the milder regime, with further detail likely on this element of the forecast in the coming days. Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist Mike Silverstone said: “A deep area of low pressure looks likely to influence the UK’s weather this weekend. While this will bring in milder air to most parts, it also brings with it some heavy rain and strong winds at times.
It’s too early for precise detail, but there’s a potential for further warnings.” The areas affected by the warning: The Met Office forecast for Wales Wednesday, November 20: Dry throughout Wednesday evening as winds ease. Cloud building overnight with rain fringing Pembrokeshire towards dawn on Thursday.
Chilly for all but frost most widespread in the east. Minimum temperature -3 °C. Thursday: Cloudier than Wednesday with rain spreading into southern counties, perhaps turning to snow over hills, but staying dry in the north.
Cold again with blustery winds along the south coast. Maximum temperature 6 °C. Outlook for Friday to Sunday: Frosty start to Friday with wintry showers easing and sunny spells emerging.
Becoming wet and windy into the weekend, perhaps with hill snow for a time, but also turning milder..
