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Severe storms sweep across Wales Severe storms sweep across Wales
(about 1 hour later)
Wales is suffering a morning of storms and high winds of up to 80mph as severe weather batters the UK. Wales is suffering storms and high winds of more than 80mph as severe weather batters the UK.
Heavy rain and severe gales are sweeping across much of the UK with Wales one of the areas worst affected. Winds of 81mph have been recorded at Aberdaron in the Llyn Peninsula, 76 mph in Mumbles near Swansea and 63mph at St Athan in the Vale of Glamorgan.
Forecasters are warning of structural damage in parts of Wales, with southern and western coastal areas bearing the brunt of the high winds. A railway line near Chirk has been closed because of a fallen tree while some roads are shut due to flooding. Ferries services are also being hit.
The wind and rain is forecast to be at its worst in the morning before easing ease during Thursday afternoon. The Environment Agency said there are six flood warnings in place in Wales.
Many areas of Wales have experienced heavy rain overnight, before gales began in the early hours of Thursday. Met Office weather forecaster Malcolm Weatherall said drivers are being advised to stay at home this morning unless their journey is absolutely necessary.
Commuters have been warned of treacherous conditions on the roads with local flooding, heavy rain and high winds making driving conditions difficult. He said: "The bad news is the winds are going to continue for much of the day.
'Localised flooding' Speed limit
BBC Wales meteorologist Derek Brockway said high winds were the main feature of Thursday's storms. "The worst of the rain is out of the way but there is some rains remaining particularly over the hills.
He said: "Thursday will be wild, wet and very windy from the morning until about lunchtime. "It could well be the evening before the winds start to ease."
"There will be heavy rain all over Wales particularly on high ground, with a risk of localised flooding. The M4 Severn Bridge is closed to vehicles due to the winds, as is the Cleddau Bridge in Pembrokeshire. There is a 50 mph speed limit on the Briton Ferry Bridge
"Wind is the biggest feature and is strong to severe gale force. There are frequent gusts of 60-70mph but they could be as high as 80mph in exposed areas. One lane is blocked on the M4 westbound at Newport, between the Coldra (Junction 24) and Caerleon Road (Junction 25) following a multi-vehicle accident.
"The winds are strong enough to cause structural damage, cause transport problems and bring down power lines." In north Wales on the A55, the Britannia Bridge is closed to high-sided vehicles and a 20mph speed limit is in place for other vehicles.
He added: "the worst-affected areas will be the coastal areas of south and west Wales but inland areas will also suffer gales. Facing cancellations
"The gales and the rain will ease during the afternoon and the evening." Five flights due to depart form Cardiff International Airport on Thursday morning and six arrivals have been cancelled.
An airport spokesperson said passengers should check ahead before they leave home.
Stena Line ferries between Fishguard and Rosslare are also facing cancellations and passengers should also check with them before travelling.
On the trains, a 50 mph speed restriction on all First Great Western routes is being introduced from 0800 GMT, affecting services between Paddington and Swansea.
The Shrewsbury to Chester railway line has been closed after a train collided with a tree just outside Chirk Station.
Train services between Llandudno Junction and Blaenau Ffestiniog are being disrupted due to flooding at Llanrwst. Replacement road transport will be in operation between Llandudno Junction and Blaenau Ffestiniog.
There are reports of fallen tress blocking roads at a number of places across south Wales.
Fire crews have been called to three flood properties in Hengoed, south Wales and a property in Williamstown in Merthyr Tydfil.
They have also been called to Penallt, Monmouthshire where a tree has fallen onto power cables.