A YELLOW weather warning has been issued for very strong winds on Sunday and Monday.

Named Storm Franklin by the Met Office, winds speeds locally could be higher than those brought by Storm Eunice on Friday.

The warning becomes active at 12pm Sunday through to 1pm Monday.

Forecasts show gusts of wind in Pembrokeshire during the active yellow alert period could reach speeds similar to those seen during the Storm Eunice amber alert on Friday.

Locally Storm Franklin will peak between 3am and 7am on Monday with wind gusts forecast in excess of 65mph.

During Storm Eunice on Friday the highest wind speed recorded at the Hawarden airport weather station – as used by the Met Office to gather data – reached 54mph.

The Met Office weather warning states:

“Further periods of very strong winds on Sunday and Monday, with possible disruption.”

What to expect

• Some damage to buildings, such as tiles blown from roofs, could happen, along with trees/branches being brought down
• 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
• Injuries and danger to life could occur from large waves and beach material being thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties

The Met Office says: “Winds are likely to strengthen across England and Wales on Sunday, as an increasingly squally band of rain moves southeastwards.”

“Gusts of 55-60 mph are expected widely around south and west facing coasts, but possibly also briefly inland.”#

“There is a chance that a few exposed places could see gusts near 70 mph.”

“Strong gusts associated with blustery wintry showers will follow from the north.”

“A swathe of very strong winds will reach Northern Ireland later Sunday evening in association with Storm Franklin.”

“These very strong winds will spread to many other western, central and southern areas of the UK overnight and early Monday, with gusts widely 50-60 mph, whilst west facing coastal districts will see gusts of 65-75 mph and perhaps 80 mph briefly near north coast of Northern Ireland.”

“In the south these strong winds may hamper, or slow, ongoing recovery efforts in the wake of Storm Eunice.”

“Winds will ease steadily from the northwest during the remainder of Monday.”

UPDATE FROM LOCAL AUTHORITY / WESTERN POWER

 Western Power has continued to work through the night to restore electricity to customers. This has been the worst storm ever experienced in the region for the utility company in terms of impacts/calls. Engineers are continuing to work to restore power to remaining customers. The latest update is here:  https://powercuts.westernpower.co.uk. BT has also worked hard to restore phone lines where cables have been affected.

 Latest Situation and reminder of trees to be cleared during working week:

 –          We have 2 teams out for building maintenance. We are currently dealing with a dozen emergency calls not including remaining calls from yesterday. Yesterday, we had the region of 65 emergency calls that  the team dealt with to assess damages as well as remaining requests from Friday. Some repairs will only be undertaken when safe to do so due to inclement weather conditions.

 North
o  Glandwr – SA34 0YD– Cables on the road posing hazard – road is closed until Western Power can attend.
o   Slade Lane – Trees down on footpath – Countryside Access team to assess Monday
 o   Lotta Park – tree down – to be cleared during working week

 South
o    Wood Lane – Jeffreyston to Cresselly – Large trees blocking the road – Trees on power lines – Road Closed – To be cleared Sunday  
o   Tenby – Tiles on the pavements falling off – Pavement  barriered off
o   WRC Site – team to assess damage to fencing structure
 o   Tree on roundabout by Technium Centre blocking road – Team on site
o   Dangerous tree, Redberth Playground – Playground to be closed until can be assessed next week
o    Narberth – tree on the B4314 road to crematorium blocking the road – team on site

 Central

 o          Damage to hedge in St Ishmaels to be addressed during working week
o          B4330 Camrose by Callfield Farm – Wire cross road – reported to BT – Awaiting update
o          Portfield Gate to Sutton – Tree on side of the road – Road is passable with care and tree has been cornered off
o          Havens Head, Hubberston, Milford Haven – Dangerous tree leaning over road/cables – To be assessed next week with contractor

 o   Haven Road – dangerous structure on house – Assessed by Fire Service – Footpath closed until fixed by private landowner
 o   Withybush Woods will remain closed due to a number of trees having fallen off – Work will be carried out during the working week

MORE TO FOLLOW

Cover image: Saundersfoot on Friday, by Gareth Davies Photography