Last Updated: December 5, 2024
Image by the MetOffice
The Met Office has named Storm Darragh as it approaches the UK, with an amber warning issued for parts of Wales as dangerous winds of up to 80mph are forecast for Friday and through the weekend.
The powerful storm system is expected to sweep across Ireland late Friday before moving over England and Wales on Saturday, bringing severe gales and heavy rainfall to much of the country. Hill snow is also predicted in northern regions above 200m elevation.
An amber warning has been put in place for 18 Welsh areas from 3am to 9pm on Saturday, including Cardiff, Swansea, and Pembrokeshire. The warning states: “A period of very strong northerly or northwesterly winds is likely to develop during Saturday as Storm Darragh moves from west to east. Gusts of 70 to 80mph are likely around exposed coasts and headlands, where some very large waves are likely, whilst gusts of 60 to 70mph are likely inland.”
Met Office Chief Forecaster Jason Kelly said: “Storm Darragh is an evolving system and will bring several hazards including wind gusts of up to 70-80mph around western coasts especially from Devon and Cornwall to southwest Scotland and Northern Ireland. Wind speeds in inland areas will be slightly reduced with maximum gusts expected to reach 60-70mph.”
The severe weather follows a night of heavy rain across Wales, with 15 flood alerts currently in place across nine areas. Natural Resources Wales has issued a flood warning for the River Ely at Peterston in the Vale of Glamorgan. đ§ď¸
