The Met Office has extended an amber weather warning for parts of Wales, forecasting that nearly a month's worth of rain could fall within just 24 hours, creating a potential danger to life from fast-flowing or deep floodwater.
Widespread Disruption Expected
The severe warning is active from midnight to 11.59pm on Monday, covering the majority of South Wales. Concurrently, yellow rain warnings have been issued for parts of England and Wales from the early hours of Monday until 3am on Tuesday, and for most of Monday in south-west Scotland.
Forecasters predict that the highest ground within Wales' amber warning zone could see a deluge of 120mm of rain. More widely, 20mm to 40mm is expected, with hilly areas likely to receive up to 80mm.
Saturated Ground Amplifies Threat
The impact of this heavy rainfall is expected to be severe because the ground is already saturated from above-average rainfall this month. A Met Office meteorologist confirmed that Wales has already seen around 240mm of rain in November, significantly higher than the monthly average of 162mm.
Senior operational Met Office meteorologist Marco Petagna emphasised the seriousness of the situation, stating that Monday could be a significant event for many. He noted that combined, England and Wales have already experienced 143% of their normal rainfall for this period.
The British Geological Survey warned that rainfall of this magnitude has previously triggered landslides in Wales. A spokesperson said, "Both natural and infrastructure slopes could be affected within the warning areas, with rainfall falling on slopes that are likely to already be saturated."
Official Advice and Potential Consequences
The amber warning outlines several serious risks, including:
- Probable flooding of homes and businesses
- Potential for transport cancellations and power cuts
- Some communities being cut off by flooded roads
- An increased chance of landslides
- Strong south to south-westerly winds with gales around coasts
Richard Preece, Natural Resources Wales' duty tactical manager, urged the public to take immediate precautions. "We are asking people to be alert for potential flooding... We're urging people to be vigilant and to make preparations for potential flooding now," he said. He strongly advised people to keep away from swollen riverbanks and not to drive or walk through flood waters.
The Environment Agency has also escalated its alerts, posting one warning that flooding is expected and 23 warnings that it is possible.
