Rare red weather warning issued for parts of Wales and the South West
A rare red warning for wind has been issued
Last updated 6th Dec 2024
A rare red warning for wind, which warns of significant disruption and a "danger to life", has been issued by the Met Office for parts of Wales and South West England.
It will come into force on Saturday as Storm Darragh hits the UK.
The Met Office has upgraded it's initial weather warning for wind for the west coast from amber to red.
It is in place from 3am on Saturday until 11am on Sunday.
In the South West the warning covers Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, Devon, North Somerset, Somerset and South Gloucestershire.
Whereas in Wales the warning spreads right across the country - covering Bridgend, Cardiff, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Conwy, Gwynedd, Isle of Anglesey, Monmouthshire, Neath Port Talbot, Newport, Pembrokeshire, Swansea and Vale of Glamorgan.
What should you expect?
- Danger to life due to flying debris and falling trees
- Large waves and beach material being thrown onto coastal roads, sea fronts and homes
- Power cuts affecting other services, such as mobile phone coverage
- Damage to buildings and homes, with roofs blown off and power lines brought down
- Roads, bridges and railway lines closed, with delays and cancellations to bus, train, ferry services and flights
The Met Office warns of "damaging winds", with gusts of 90mph possible.
The strongest winds will begin to ease from late morning, though it will remain very windy with Amber wind warnings still in force until the evening.
What's the Met Office advice?
- Keep yourself and others safe; avoid travelling by road during potentially dangerous conditions. It is not safe to drive in these conditions
- Don't risk injury to others or damage to your property
- If you can do so safely, check for loose items outside your home and secure them
- Being outside in high winds makes you vulnerable to injury - Stay indoors if you can
- People cope better with power cuts when they have prepared for them in advance
- If you live or work on the coast, beware of large waves, even from the shore large breaking waves can sweep you off your feet and out to sea. In an emergency, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard
- Stay up to date with the weather forecast for your area and follow advice from emergency services and local authorities