Met Office’s 27-hour warning has been issued for 16 areas across Wales as heavy rainfall continues to batter the country. Cardif and Milford Haven experienced some of the highest rainfall totals, leading to the closure of part of Swansea’s Fabian Way due to flooding. Over the last 24 hours up to Thursday morning, Cardiff received 34mm of rain, while Milford Haven saw 22mm. A yellow warning is in place from 6am on Thursday until 9am on Friday, indicating that between 10 to 15 mm of rain could fall within an hour from heavy showers, with some areas possibly receiving 30mm over a few hours.
The Met Office warned of further uncertainty in the weather details, with some locations potentially experiencing 20-30 mm of rain in two to three hours and up to 40-60 mm in three to six hours. BBC Breakfast weather presenter Carol Kirkwood highlighted the wet conditions, indicating that more rain is expected with windy conditions driven by low pressure and weather fronts bringing rain or showers. Met Office chief meteorologist Paul Gundersen emphasised the heightened risks due to the potential impact of rain falling on already saturated ground.
The affected areas in Wales include 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. The Met Office’s forecast for Wales indicates cloudy conditions with rain spreading across all areas, becoming heavy in some places. Friday is expected to be drier and brighter with sunshine but some showers near northern and western coastal districts. Cooler weather is forecast for much of the UK heading into the weekend, with frost likely overnight on Friday and a more autumnal feel to daytime temperatures.
As the weekend approaches, a shift in weather patterns is expected with a north-westerly flow of cool Arctic air over the UK before the arrival of the next low-pressure system from the North Atlantic. The weekend could bring very wet and windy conditions, although specific details are yet to be determined. Residents are advised to stay updated with the latest forecast as more severe weather warnings may be issued in the coming days.