The Met Office has issued weather warnings as Storm Ciara is expected to hit the UK on Saturday evening and on Sunday, bringing gale-force winds and torrential rain.

Winds reaching 80mph (130km/h) will threaten Wales with an amber warning being issued. Forecasters have also warned there could be 3in (80mm) of rain.

 

The weather warning starts at 12:00pm on Saturday 8 February To 23:59pm on Sunday 9th February

Storm Ciara will bring very strong winds and potentially some disruption to travel throughout Sunday.
– Injuries and danger to life from flying debris are possible
– Injuries and danger to life could occur from large waves and beach material being thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties
– Some damage to buildings, such as tiles blown from roofs, could happen
– Road, rail, air and ferry services may be affected, with longer journey times and cancellations possible
– Some roads and bridges may close
– Power cuts may occur, with the potential to affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage

Heavy rain is likely to bring some disruption to travel during Sunday with some flooding in places.
– Flooding of a few homes and businesses is likely
– Bus and train services probably affected with journey times taking longer, with the possibility of some cancellations to services.
– Spray and flooding on roads probably making journey times longer and some road closures are possible
– There is a small chance of fast flowing or deep floodwater causing danger to life
– There is a small chance that some communities become cut off by flooded roads

The poor weather could also affect Welsh rugby fans returning home on ferries and planes from Saturday’s Six Nations match in Dublin.

Transport for Wales have warned of disruption to rail services across North Wales, a warning on the Transport for Wales website read: “With Storm Ciara set to bring gale force winds of up to 90mph on Sunday, Transport for Wales wish to urge all customers to check their journeys prior to travel.

“These winds have the potential to uproot trees and damage infrastructure. The safety of our customers and colleagues is our absolute priority and as such there are likely to be a number of blanket speed restrictions in place around our network, while some other lines may be forced to close entirely.
“We are working closely with our partners in Network Rail to minimise any disruption and will do all we can to keep our customers moving.

“Customers advised to check journey planners from 0600 Saturday 8th February for details of journeys for Sunday 9th February

“Customers who have tickets for Sunday the 9th of February are able to use them on Saturday 8th, Monday the 10th and Tuesday 11th of February.”

You can check your journey here:

https://www.journeycheck.com/tfwrail/search

Photo: Network Rail Manchester