Shropshire weather warning as Met Office forecasts 70mph wind gusts - here's when and where

The Met Office issued the latest Yellow Weather Warning for Shropshire running from midnight last night - Saturday, December 21, through to 9pm tonight, December 22.

The warning covers the entirety of the county and Mid Wales, and tells people to expect strong winds, and potential disruption to travel and even power supplies.

The Met Office said there could be gusts of up to 70mph in hilly areas, while hail, thunder, and squally showers were also possible.

The warning comes as the Christmas getaway continues, with many travelling cross-country ahead of the holidays.

The Met Office said: "Strong and gusty northwesterly winds are expected to develop on Sunday.

"Gusts of 50-60 mph are expected quite widely, and around some exposed coasts and hills gusts of 70 mph are possible, especially in the north and west.

"In addition, squally showers are likely with some hail and thunder possible in places.

"This has the potential to cause delays to public transport and some disruption to the road network, which may have a greater than usual impact given the busier pre-Christmas weekend travel."

The update also offered advice for travellers and residents to be prepared, saying: "Give yourself the best chance of avoiding delays by checking road conditions if driving, or bus and train timetables, amending your travel plans if necessary.

"People cope better with power cuts when they have prepared for them in advance. It’s easy to do; consider gathering torches and batteries, a mobile phone power pack and other essential items."

Two flood alerts are in place for Shropshire at the Vyrnwy confluence and the Tern and Perry Catchments, with a third close to the Shropshire/Staffordshire border at the River Sow and River Penk.

Two more serious flood warnings have been removed this morning from the River Dee catchment from Whitchurch to Chester and the River Worfe.

A statement on the Vyrnwy confluence alert said: "River levels remain high at the Cae Howel river gauge as a result of recent rainfall. Consequently, flooding of roads and farmland may continue on Sunday and into Monday.

"We expect flooding to affect low lying land and roads adjacent to the river from the Welsh border at Llawnt to Shrawardine near Shrewsbury. Other locations that may be affected include Llanymynech, Maesbrook and Melverley.

"Predicted peaks: Llanymynech 3.1m to 3.2m on Sunday morning, Cae Howel 3.6m to 3.8m on Monday morning.

"Further rain is forecast over the next 48 hours, and we expect river levels to be high over the next few days. Our incident response staff are closely monitoring the situation.

"Please avoid using low lying footpaths near local watercourses and plan driving routes to avoid low lying roads near rivers, which may be flooded."

On the alert at the Tern and Perry catchments, a statement said: "River levels remain high at the Tern - Walcot River gauge as a result of recent rainfall. Consequently, flooding of roads and farmland is expected to continue.

"We expect flooding to affect low lying land and roads adjacent to the river from Wolverley to Newport. Other locations that may be affected include Market Drayton, Wem and Rodington.

"Further rain is forecast over the next 24 hours, and we expect river levels to be high over the next few days. Our incident response staff are closely monitoring the situation.

"Please avoid using low lying footpaths near local watercourses and plan driving routes to avoid low lying roads near rivers, which may be flooded."

In its forecast for today and the coming days, it said to expect "another very windy day today, with gales in places, perhaps bringing some travel disruption in places". It added there will be "sunny intervals and frequent wintry showers during this morning, these easing and mostly falling as rain by this afternoon. Feeling very cold. Maximum temperature 6C."

The Met Office expect it to turn "increasingly dry overnight but a few showers remain possible at first this evening". Strong winds at first, easing later. Becoming cold with clearing skies allowing a slight rural frost. Minimum temperature 1C.

Monday is expected to be cold with some sunshine during the morning, staying generally dry through the afternoon but turning cloudier with some drizzle by early evening. Much lighter winds than over the weekend. Maximum temperature 7C.

Milder weather is anticipated from Christmas Eve through to Boxing Day.

The warning comes after Shropshire and Mid Wales were hit by the effects of Storm Darragh earlier this month.

On that occasion there was widespread disruption due to fallen trees, while scores of households were left without power - some for several days.