New weather warning issued with risk of flooding

Published: 13 November 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

A fresh wave of heavy rainfall is threatening to bring flooding to several regions of Wales, as the Met Office has issued two consecutive yellow weather warnings this week. The first warning, already in effect, remains active until 23:59 GMT on Wednesday, while a second one has been issued for Friday, running from 06:00 GMT until the same time on Saturday. These warnings come as communities continue to recover from recent severe flooding that devastated parts of Carmarthen, where local residents described the inundation as the “worst in living memory.”

According to the Met Office, south and mid Wales are expected to be hardest hit by Wednesday’s downpours, with rainfall intensifying through the afternoon and evening. Persistent rain is forecast to move northward by Friday, engulfing wider areas of north, mid, and south Wales. The forecaster has cautioned that spray and surface water could make driving hazardous, with public transport also likely to experience disruption.

Meteorologists predict that rainfall totals will vary significantly across the country. Elevated areas may see as much as 40 to 50 millimetres of rain, while lower regions could record between 20 and 30 millimetres by the end of Wednesday. The prolonged wet spell, coupled with saturated ground from previous storms, has raised concerns that rivers could burst their banks and flood-prone areas might once again be submerged.

The Met Office’s extended warning for Friday highlights the risk of even heavier rainfall. Accumulations of 30 to 50 millimetres are expected across many areas, but some locations could receive 60 to 80 millimetres. In particular, forecasters say east-facing hills in southeast Wales may see rainfall exceeding 100 millimetres. These volumes, over a short duration, could cause significant flooding and travel disruption.

“This, following recent wet weather, could lead to some surface water and river flooding impacts,” the Met Office said in a statement. “Although some uncertainty exists in the areas of heaviest rainfall, impacts appear more probable across southeast Wales.”

Local authorities and emergency services have already begun issuing safety advice to residents in low-lying areas, urging them to prepare for potential flooding and remain vigilant for updates. Councils have also placed sandbags and drainage pumps in key locations, while teams monitor river levels closely in known hotspots such as Newport, Pontypridd, and Carmarthen.

In Carmarthen, the memory of last week’s flooding remains fresh. Business owners who suffered heavy losses are still assessing the damage. One shopkeeper, whose premises were submerged under nearly a metre of water, described the emotional toll of watching her livelihood swept away. “We’ve seen floods before, but never like this,” she said. “It came so quickly that we had no time to move anything. Now, just hearing about more rain brings back that same fear.”

The Environment Agency has warned that continued rainfall could put further strain on drainage systems and small rivers already running near capacity. Authorities have also urged motorists to avoid driving through floodwaters, which can conceal hidden dangers such as open manholes and strong currents.

Meteorologists say that the current weather pattern is the result of a deep Atlantic low-pressure system drawing in moist air from the southwest, fuelling intense and persistent rainfall. Similar systems have been responsible for the recent bouts of extreme weather across the UK, leading to concerns about the increasing frequency of such events amid climate change.

Experts note that the ground across much of Wales remains waterlogged after weeks of unsettled weather, meaning that even moderate rainfall could quickly lead to flooding. Hydrologist Dr. Megan Price from the University of Cardiff explained that “once the soil becomes saturated, there’s nowhere for the water to go except over the surface and into rivers, which can cause them to overflow rapidly.”

The Met Office said that conditions are expected to gradually improve over the weekend as the system moves eastwards, but added that further showers could still occur in isolated areas. Residents are being advised to stay alert, follow local flood alerts, and keep emergency supplies at hand in case conditions worsen.

With winter approaching, officials have reiterated the importance of preparedness and community cooperation. Local councils are urging citizens to check weather updates regularly, ensure that gutters and drains remain clear, and report any blockages or rising water levels immediately. The public is also reminded not to take unnecessary risks when flooding occurs, as rescue operations can be dangerous and resource-intensive.

As Wales braces for yet another deluge, the coming days will test both infrastructure and resilience. For many who only just began to recover from the last floods, the threat of renewed inundation brings a mix of anxiety and fatigue — but also determination to face whatever nature delivers next.