The Met Office has issued fresh weather warnings for Wales this weekend, with high winds of up to 70mph and heavy rain expected to bring unsettled conditions. While temperatures are set to rise, the forecast remains turbulent, particularly on Friday and Sunday.
Friday’s weather warning
A yellow warning for strong winds is in place across parts of South, North, and West Wales from 8am to 3pm on Friday, 21st February. Wind speeds could reach up to 60mph in affected areas, which include:
- Bridgend
- Cardiff
- Carmarthenshire
- Ceredigion
- Conwy
- Gwynedd
- Isle of Anglesey
- Neath Port Talbot
- Pembrokeshire
- Powys
- Rhondda Cynon Taf
- Swansea
- Vale of Glamorgan
Severe conditions expected on Sunday
The Met Office has now extended warnings for Sunday, 23rd February, covering much of Wales. A yellow wind warning will be in effect from 6am to 6pm, with southerly to south-westerly winds strengthening through the morning.
Gusts of 50-60mph are expected, with exposed coastal areas along the Irish Sea possibly experiencing speeds of up to 70mph. The Met Office warned: “Rain will accompany strong winds, which will make for very poor weather conditions, especially on roads. Winds will then ease from southwest to northeast of the warning area through the afternoon and early evening.”
Prolonged heavy rainfall
A separate yellow rain warning is in force from 9am to 9pm on Sunday, affecting much of South West and South East Wales. The Met Office predicts between nine and 12 hours of persistent rainfall, with particularly heavy downpours over high ground.
The warning states: “A broad band of occasionally heavy rain will push east during Sunday, bringing a spell of around nine to 12 hours of rain. The rain will set in around mid-morning and not clear until around mid-evening. The heaviest downpours will occur over high ground, especially on south or south-west facing slopes. Widely, 30-50mm of rain is expected, but in the wettest, most exposed areas, totals of 60-90mm are possible.”
The areas covered by this rain warning include:
- Blaenau Gwent
- Bridgend
- Caerphilly
- Cardiff
- Carmarthenshire
- Ceredigion
- Merthyr Tydfil
- Monmouthshire
- Neath Port Talbot
- Newport
- Pembrokeshire
- Powys
- Rhondda Cynon Taf
- Swansea
- Torfaen
- Vale of Glamorgan
Expert insights and forecast beyond the weekend
Met Office Chief Meteorologist Steve Willington explained the shifting weather pattern: “As we shift from a cold easterly weather regime to milder westerly conditions, the Atlantic air brings with it some potentially impactful weather. Over the coming days, successive weather fronts bring strong winds and bands of rainfall across the UK, with a risk that some areas, particularly in the west later in the weekend, could see some low or even medium impacts.”
He also warned of potential travel disruption, hazardous coastal conditions, and even power cuts in some areas.
Despite the stormy conditions, temperatures are expected to rise significantly, potentially reaching 16°C in sheltered areas to the east and north of high ground on Thursday and Friday—well above the seasonal average.
Looking ahead, the Met Office indicates that the UK’s westerly weather pattern is set to persist into next week. Showers and longer spells of rain are likely, with temperatures returning closer to the seasonal norm after a brief mild spell.
