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What do the warning colours mean?
Red warning
- Dangerous weather is expected and, if you have not done so already, you should take action now to keep yourself and others safe from the impact of the severe weather.
- It is very likely that there will be a risk to life, with substantial disruption to travel, energy supplies and possibly widespread damage to property and infrastructure.
Amber warning
- There is an increased likelihood of impacts from severe weather, which could potentially disrupt your plans.
- This means there is the possibility of travel delays, road and rail closures, power cuts and the potential risk to life and property.
Yellow warning
- Yellow warnings can be issued for a range of weather situations.
- It is important to read the content of yellow warnings to determine which weather situation is being covered by the warning.
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UK weather warnings
Heavy rain accompanied by strong southerly winds, will give difficult driving conditions and may produce flooding in places.
What should I expect?
- Flooding of a few homes and businesses is possible
- It’s likely that some coastal routes, sea fronts and coastal communities will be affected by spray and/or large waves
- Delays for high-sided vehicles on exposed routes and bridges is possible
- Bus and train services probably affected with journey times taking longer
- Spray and flooding on roads probably making journey times longer
- Some isolated short term loss of power and other services is possible
What should I do?
Further detail
Outbreaks of light rain on Tuesday morning are expected to turn heavier and more persistent during Tuesday afternoon, accompanied by a strengthening southerly wind; gusts exceeding gale force are possible along exposed south facing coastal districts and over hills. Although wind and rain will likely ease later Tuesday evening, further pulses of persistent and/or heavy rain could continue overnight and through much of Wednesday as the associated weather system becomes slow moving.
20-40 mm is likely fairly widely, with 60-80 mm building up in the wettest spots, these most likely but not exclusively on the south facing slopes of the moors.
Given recent wet weather, and saturated ground in places, this could lead to flooding in a few spots. More generally, difficult driving conditions are likely for the Tuesday evening commute in particular, with delays due to slow traffic and the increased possibility of accidents.
What Should I Do?
Check if your property could be at risk of flooding. If so, consider preparing a flood plan and an emergency flood kit.
Give yourself the best chance of avoiding delays by checking road conditions if driving, or bus and train timetables, amending your travel plans if necessary.
People cope better with power cuts when they have prepared for them in advance. It’s easy to do; consider gathering torches and batteries, a mobile phone power pack and other essential items.
Be prepared for weather warnings to change quickly: when a weather warning is issued, the Met Office recommends staying up to date with the weather forecast in your area.
Why is the warning yellow?
This warning has a medium likelihood and a low impact.
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Last updated
Reason: Updated to cater for likelihood of continuation of spells of moderate to heavy rain overnight Tuesday and through much of Wednesday, and upgraded to dual wind/rain warning given the strong winds along southern coasts and some hills on Tuesday afternoon.
Regions and local authorities affected:
South West England
- Cornwall
- Devon
- Plymouth
- Somerset
A further period of persistent, and at times heavy rainfall is likely to develop during Wednesday.
What should I expect?
- There is a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded, causing damage to some buildings
- Spray and flooding could lead to difficult travelling conditions and some road closures
- There is a small chance that some communities will become briefly cut off by flooded roads
What should I do?
Further detail
After heavy rain on Tuesday, conditions will improve briefly into Wednesday. However, another spell of persistent and sometimes heavy rain is expected to move in from the south on Wednesday morning. It’s uncertain exactly where the heaviest rain will fall, so confidence is low about the highest totals in specific places within the warning area.
Despite this, there is a good chance of 20-30 mm of rain falling quite widely, over a 12-15 hour period, and some exposed locations, most likely on south facing hills, could see 40-50 mm or rain. With widely wet antecedent conditions there is an increased risk of flooding in some areas.
What Should I Do?
Check if your property could be at risk of flooding. If so, consider preparing a flood plan and an emergency flood kit.
Give yourself the best chance of avoiding delays by checking road conditions if driving, or bus and train timetables, amending your travel plans if necessary.
People cope better with power cuts when they have prepared for them in advance. It’s easy to do; consider gathering torches and batteries, a mobile phone power pack and other essential items.
Be prepared for weather warnings to change quickly: when a weather warning is issued, the Met Office recommends staying up to date with the weather forecast in your area.
Why is the warning yellow?
This warning has a very low likelihood and a medium impact.
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likely |
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Issued
Regions and local authorities affected:
Wales
- Blaenau Gwent
- Bridgend
- Caerphilly
- Cardiff
- Carmarthenshire
- Merthyr Tydfil
- Monmouthshire
- Neath Port Talbot
- Newport
- Powys
- Rhondda Cynon Taf
- Swansea
- Torfaen
- Vale of Glamorgan