Forecasters at the Met Office have issued urgent yellow weather alerts for rain and wind across southern England and Wales, with warnings of potential power cuts and significant transport disruptions expected before Saturday afternoon.
Widespread Weather Warnings in Effect
The Met Office alert remains active throughout Friday and is scheduled to last until 9am on Saturday, January 24. The warning highlights the risk of short-term power losses and service interruptions affecting numerous communities.
Expected Impacts and Disruptions
According to the Met Office statement, residents should prepare for delays across various transport networks, including road, rail, air, and ferry services. Bus and train services are likely to be affected, potentially leading to longer journey times.
The forecasters specifically warned that coastal routes, sea fronts, and coastal communities will experience spray and large waves, with some homes and businesses at risk of flooding. Road conditions may deteriorate due to spray and flooding in affected areas.
Storm Ingrid Brings Heavy Rain and Strong Winds
The weather system, named Storm Ingrid by the Portuguese national weather service IPMA, is expected to bring persistent heavy rain and strong winds to parts of southwest England and south Wales throughout Friday before conditions gradually ease on Saturday morning.
An initial band of rain early Friday could deposit 10-20 mm of rainfall in some areas within just a few hours, falling on already saturated ground. Following a brief drier period, further bands of locally heavy rain and showers will push northward through the afternoon, evening, and overnight hours.
Additional Rainfall and Flooding Concerns
By Saturday morning, forecasters anticipate an additional 15-20 mm of rain falling widely across the region, with some locations potentially receiving 30-40 mm. Given the already saturated ground conditions, this additional precipitation is likely to lead to flooding in vulnerable areas.
This second period of rainfall will be accompanied by strong winds and coastal gales, along with very large waves. Inland areas can expect gusts of 45-50 mph, while coastal regions may experience winds up to 60 mph, with peak conditions occurring during Friday evening before gradually easing overnight and into Saturday morning.
Areas at Risk of Power Cuts
The Met Office has identified 23 specific areas across England and Wales that face potential power disruptions before Saturday afternoon. The affected regions include:
- Cornwall
- Devon
- Dorset
- Isles of Scilly
- North Somerset
- Plymouth
- Somerset
- Torbay
- Blaenau Gwent
- Bridgend
- Caerphilly
- Cardiff
- Carmarthenshire
- Merthyr Tydfil
- Monmouthshire
- Neath Port Talbot
- Newport
- Pembrokeshire
- Powys
- Rhondda Cynon Taf
- Swansea
- Torfaen
- Vale of Glamorgan
Residents in these areas are advised to stay informed about weather updates and prepare for potential service interruptions throughout the warning period.
