Key Takeaways
- A "danger to life" amber rain warning has been issued for parts of Wales due to Storm Bran
- Heavy rain and strong winds are expected to hit Wales, with rainfall reaching up to 100-120 mm in some areas
- A 24-hour yellow weather warning for rain will be in force for most of the country from 6pm on Monday
- A yellow wind warning will come into place at 10pm on Monday, covering western parts of Wales
- Gusts may reach over 60mph in some coastal areas, with the worst of the weather expected to arrive on Monday evening
Introduction to Storm Bran
Storm Bran is bringing heavy rain and strong winds to Wales, with the Met Office issuing three separate weather warnings covering large parts of the country. The first weather warning comes into force at 6pm on Monday, with a "danger to life" amber rain warning issued for parts of south and mid Wales. This warning is in force from midnight until 10am on Tuesday and affects areas such as Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Carmarthenshire, Merthyr Tydfil, Monmouthshire, Neath Port Talbot, Powys, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Swansea, and Torfaen.
Weather Warnings and Alerts
The Met Office has issued a 24-hour yellow weather warning for rain, which will be in force for most of the country from 6pm on Monday. This warning covers areas such as Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Merthyr Tydfil, Monmouthshire, Neath Port Talbot, Newport, Pembrokeshire, Powys, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Swansea, Torfaen, and Vale of Glamorgan. Additionally, a yellow wind warning will come into place at 10pm on Monday, covering western parts of Wales, including Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Conwy, Denbighshire, Gwynedd, Isle of Anglesey, Pembrokeshire, Powys, and Swansea.
Hour-by-Hour Forecast
The hour-by-hour forecast shows that the worst of the weather is due to arrive on Monday evening. At 6pm, there will be some prolonged showers in parts of the country, while other areas will remain dry until later on. By 10pm, the heavy downpours will start to roll in across south Wales, with the wind warning coming into force at the same time. Gusts are expected to rise above 40mph along the west coast, with wind speeds increasing throughout the night. By midnight, most of the country will be covered by a heavy band of rain, with much of south and west Wales seeing heavy downpours.
Tuesday’s Weather
On Tuesday, the downpours will continue to get heavier overnight, with wind speeds reaching gusts of over 50mph in coastal regions. By 6am, most of the country will be waking up to heavy rainfall, with gusts forecast to reach 60mph in St David’s. The persistent downpours are set to continue for much of Tuesday morning, with the wind getting stronger throughout the morning. By midday, the worst of the downpours will have passed, but there will still be rainfall across much of the country. The yellow wind warning ends at 4pm, with strong gusts above 50mph forecast before wind speeds drop off throughout the evening.
Conclusion and Further Forecast
The heavy rain will have eased by 6pm on Tuesday, when the warning comes to an end. It’s due to remain dry on Wednesday, with scattered heavy showers until further heavy downpours later in the week. The Met Office is advising people to take necessary precautions and to stay up to date with the latest weather forecast. With the potential for fast-flowing or deep floodwater, landslides, and strong winds, it’s essential for people to be aware of the risks and to take necessary steps to stay safe.