Storms batter Britain: ‘Mini TORNADO’ hits Wales as Met Office issues warnings for power cuts caused by 65mph gale force winds – with more than 100 flood alerts in place

• Met Office issued yellow weather warnings for Wales and South West England
• Inland areas could see 10-22mm of rain, with 40-50mph wind gusts 
• Delays to road, rail, air and ferry transport are likely, with flooding on roads 
• A wind warning has also been issued for parts of Northern Ireland and Scotland 

A ‘mini tornado’ has hit Wales as 65mph winds and heavy rain lash the UK this afternoon.

The Met Office has imposed a yellow wind warning for Wales with alerts for a ‘spell of squally’ winds from 7pm tonight.

Forecasters have warned commuters to take care during this evening’s rush hour, with possible delays to transport, flooding and power cuts.

Thunder and lightning is also expected across England and Wales.  

More than 100 flood alerts are in place across the country, including in Beaulieu, and Langstone and Emsworth in Hampshire. 

Powys County Council said a ‘mini tornado’ brought down several trees causing the A470 between Builth Wells and Erwood to remain closed until Friday afternoon. 

The Severn Bridges are also closed in both directions. 

Much of the UK will experience sudden gusty winds, torrential rain and thunder today as a storm system travels across the country. Pictured: Large waves crash against Porthcawl Lighthouse and pier this morning

The weather service said there could be 10-22mm of rain, with 40-50mph gusts inland, rising to 60-70mph on exposed coasts. Pictured: Floods at Wookey in Somerset this morning

Flooding is possible in some areas, the Met Office has warned. Pictured: Gale force winds, rain, hail and huge waves battering the seaside resort of Aberystwyth in Ceredigio today

 The thundery squall will impact much of Wales and England as its spreads east from the Irish Sea towards London, bringing miserable weather and potential for flooding

Warnings are in place across huge swathes of southern to north-west England until 7pm as well as in Northern Ireland and Scotland during the afternoon. 

The Met Office said of the latest warning in Wales: ‘A further spell of squally south to southwesterly winds is expected this evening, with strongest gusts likely to occur near heavy showers and thunderstorms. 

‘Winds are likely to gust to 55-65 mph at times, especially around coasts which may lead to some disruption and large waves.’ 

The Met Office added: ‘A narrow band of rain, heavy at times and briefly intense with a chance of lightning, will move eastwards late on Thursday morning and into the afternoon, clearing Cornwall and west Wales during the morning and Kent during the evening.’ 

As much as ’10 to 15mm of rain is likely to fall in a one to two-hour period’, which is ‘likely to lead to a fair amount of surface water on roads and flooding’, it went on.

The weather service added: ‘Winds easing from the west during the late morning and early afternoon.’

There are two yellow weather warnings in place today, one in the South West of England and Wales, and another in Northern Ireland and parts of Scotland

The Met Office also issued a yellow wind warning for Wales that runs from 7pm until the end of the day. It said there will be a ‘brief spell of heavy rain and squally winds perhaps causing some transport disruption and flooding’

As of this morning, there were more than 100 flood warnings and alerts active in the UK with heavy rain and strong gusts set to batter the country

Heavy rain and strong winds in Dorset created a sand storm as walkers struggled against the stong gusts and for visibilty this afternoon on Bournemouth beach

The levels of the River Great Ouse near Sutton, Cambridgeshire, are very high today after heavy rain left flooding in parts of the county

Today’s weather system will move across all areas by tonight.

The Met Office says the rain will clear the far east this evening, resulting in a largely clear night in the South East of England.

It will remain variably cloudy in the north and west. Blustery, heavy showers will lighten towards dawn.

Temperatures will turn chilly throughout the day. Some inland areas may see frost as winds ease.  

By tomorrow much of the country will see a dry, sunny spell – although showers are likely in the west and north. It will remain windy in the north. 

The weather system will reach the western UK later this morning and move across all areas by tonight. The Met Office says the rain will clear the far east this evening, resulting in a largely clear night in the South East of England

Parts of Scotland could also see snowfall today (left, forecast for 2pm) and tomorrow (right, forecast for 12pm)

Over the weekend the poor weather will return as Saturday becomes cloudy and wet across much of the west, but there will be sunny spells in the east. 

Sunday will face further unsettled conditions with another deluge of rain across the UK, but sunny spells will follow.   

At present, the heaviest rain through the weekend is likely in the northwest of Scotland, though much of the country is likely to have some rain for a time. 

Temperatures are likely to be somewhat mild in the weekend.

The Met Office said the bad weather is likely to continue next week, especially in the northwest where it may be wet and windy.

In the south and east, however, there is a chance of drier weather and temperatures perhaps returning closer to normal for the time of the year. 

Parts of Scotland could also see snowfall today and tomorrow.

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