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70mph gale force winds battering Wales coastlines | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Gale force winds are battering Wales' coastlines and the Met Office warns there is worse to come. | |
Winds of 70mph has been recorded at Capel Curig in Conwy, and 62 mph in Aberdaron, Gwynedd. | |
Unofficial wind speeds of 100mph have also been recorded on Snowdon, Gwynedd, and 92mph on Worm's Head, Gower. | |
Roads and rail services have been disrupted by the weather, including the A55 which is closed in both directions at Bangor. | |
North Wales Police said the dual carriageway is closed between junction 12 at Bangor and junction 11, Tal y Bont, and are warning people not to travel "unless absolutely necessary". | |
Four flood alerts are in place as heavy rain and strong winds sweep across the country. | |
There are currently flood alerts in place across all areas on Anglesey near rivers and areas surrounding the rivers Taff and Cynin. | |
James Trott, from New Quay, Cardigan Bay, told the BBC about the moment an oak tree crashed into his garden. | |
"At 05:30 GMT we heard a massive crash and looked outside to see our big old oak tree narrowly missing our house and falling in our garden," he said. | "At 05:30 GMT we heard a massive crash and looked outside to see our big old oak tree narrowly missing our house and falling in our garden," he said. |
"It has smashed our fence down and our dogs are going crazy. We are getting 70 mph winds here and the rain is horizontal at the moment. | "It has smashed our fence down and our dogs are going crazy. We are getting 70 mph winds here and the rain is horizontal at the moment. |
"We are very near Aberystwyth where the caravan camp sites were badly flooded last time so I really fear for them if this weather carries on." | "We are very near Aberystwyth where the caravan camp sites were badly flooded last time so I really fear for them if this weather carries on." |
Winds of 70mph has been recorded at Capel Curig, Conwy, and 62mph in Aberdaron, Gwynedd, and there are reports of flooding at properties in Talwrn, Anglesey. | |
There is an amber warning in place across much of south Wales and a yellow warning for the rest of the nation for the afternoon and evening. | There is an amber warning in place across much of south Wales and a yellow warning for the rest of the nation for the afternoon and evening. |
The weather has delayed the opening of Cardiff's Winter Wonderland where Only Boys Aloud were due to perform. | The weather has delayed the opening of Cardiff's Winter Wonderland where Only Boys Aloud were due to perform. |
Flooding risk | Flooding risk |
BBC Wales meteorologist Derek Brockway said up to 50mm could fall in some spots, with winds gusting at 50-70mph. | BBC Wales meteorologist Derek Brockway said up to 50mm could fall in some spots, with winds gusting at 50-70mph. |
He said there could be localised flooding as rain falls on already saturated ground. | He said there could be localised flooding as rain falls on already saturated ground. |
Mr Brockway warned further strong to severe gale force winds could cause problems for people travelling. | Mr Brockway warned further strong to severe gale force winds could cause problems for people travelling. |
"It is something to be concerned about," he said. | "It is something to be concerned about," he said. |
"A very active cold front is going to move through so that is going to bring some intense rain. | "A very active cold front is going to move through so that is going to bring some intense rain. |
"We're looking at 20mm of rain, just under an inch, but one or two spots could get 40mm to 50mm," he told BBC News. | "We're looking at 20mm of rain, just under an inch, but one or two spots could get 40mm to 50mm," he told BBC News. |
"[There are] strong to severe gale force winds so that's going to cause problems for travelling. Looking at 50-70mph gusts. | "[There are] strong to severe gale force winds so that's going to cause problems for travelling. Looking at 50-70mph gusts. |
"There is a risk of some flooding." | "There is a risk of some flooding." |
National Coastwatch Institution volunteer John Kavanagh told BBC Wales the sea at Worm's Head was "like a cauldron" and he had never seen the sea "so dark". | |
"We've got waves lashing over the Worm's Head, which I've never seen before," he said. | |
"There are hurricane force winds and driving winds - and there's no one out surfing. It doesn't show any signs of abating." | |
He added a lot of ground was already saturated following the heavy rainfall in the summer, meaning there was a possible higher risk of flooding. | He added a lot of ground was already saturated following the heavy rainfall in the summer, meaning there was a possible higher risk of flooding. |
The weather has already made an impact on the roads. | The weather has already made an impact on the roads. |
A fallen tree has blocked the A4075 Holyland Road, Pembroke, Pembrokeshire, in both directions. | |
One lane is closed due to strong winds on the M48 Severn Bridge in both directions between J2 at Chepstow and J1. | One lane is closed due to strong winds on the M48 Severn Bridge in both directions between J2 at Chepstow and J1. |
There are strong winds on the M4 Briton Ferry bridge and a 40 mph speed restriction is in place. | There are strong winds on the M4 Briton Ferry bridge and a 40 mph speed restriction is in place. |
One lane is closed due to flooding on the M4 westbound between J24 (A48) and and J25. | One lane is closed due to flooding on the M4 westbound between J24 (A48) and and J25. |
There is also disruption on the railways, with the First Great Western line between London Paddington and Cardiff Central. There are delays at Bristol Temple Meads because of flooding. | |
Amber warnings advise people to be prepared for severe weather, while yellow warnings tell them to be aware. | Amber warnings advise people to be prepared for severe weather, while yellow warnings tell them to be aware. |
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Map Key
FogLight HeavyFrostLight HeavyPressure FrontsCold Warm OccludedRainLight Heavy ExtremeSnowLight Heavy | Map Key
FogLight HeavyFrostLight HeavyPressure FrontsCold Warm OccludedRainLight Heavy ExtremeSnowLight Heavy |
Temperature tab only | Temperature tab only |
Temperature (°C)More details from BBC Weather | Temperature (°C)More details from BBC Weather |