Yellow alert as fierce gales cause chaos across Wales
Severe weather caused damage and disruption across Wales yesterday. Strong winds battered much of Wales only 24 hours after Storm Elenaor hit the country.
A yellow warning was in place from 8am-7pm on Thursday due to strong and gusty winds that moved eastwards throughout the day.
High winds felled several trees and blew fences on to cars, with several homes in Cardiff left without power.
Gust speeds of 72mph were recorded at St Ann’s in Pembrokeshire and the Mumbles saw gusts of around 65mph.
A plane was diverted after trying to land at Cardiff Airport twice during strong winds yesterday afternoon, with passengers having to be transported back to the capital from Birmingham Airport by coach.
Restrictions were put in place on several roads across the country for much of the day, including the M48 Severn Bridge. For several hours the eastbound carriageway was closed, with the westbound carriageway open except to high-sided vehicles.
The Cleddau Bridge in Pembrokeshire was closed to high-sided vehicles and speed restrictions were enforced on the Britannia Bridge.
Several Arriva Trains Wales routes faced delays due to damage caused at Crewe station by strong winds, and passengers between Abergavenny and Hereford faced disruption after a train hit a fallen tree.
Cardiff’s popular Winter Wonderland attraction was forced to temporarily close due to high wind speeds.
Fire crews in Cardiff helped make a house safe after roof tiles came loose in the high winds, and crews attended another incident after a tree fell dangerously close to a house in Cowbridge.
The Met Office said that today will bring changeable conditions, with some strong winds in the south at first. Heavy showers with a risk of hail and thunder could follow, but drier and brighter interludes are likely, with a maximum temperature of 8C.
From Saturday conditions will turn much colder and drier, with some wind persisting on Saturday.
Sunday and Monday are forecast to have sun throughout the day followed by sharp frosts at night.