Storm Ciara will batter Mid Wales with heavy rain and winds of more than 80mph.

Weather warnings have been issued across the entire country on Sunday, with a spell of very strong gusts and the risk of flooding.

Forecasters have warned that flying debris could lead to injuries or danger to life, and there may also be delays and cancellations to air, ferry and train services, damage to buildings and a chance of power cuts caused by the wild weather conditions.

The Met Office has an amber warning for wind in place for Wales from 8am until 9pm, while there is a yellow warning for rain covering Powys.

Yellow weather warnings cover the whole UK, with the heaviest rain expected over high ground where 50-70mm is expected widely with as much as 100mm in a few locations.

Natural Resources Wales issued a flood alert on Saturday evening for the Vyrnwy and Upper Severn catchments. Many low lying minor roads are affected in the area.

Network Rail says "exceptionally high" winds as a result of Storm Ciara are expected to impact train services throughout Wales on Sunday.

Transport for Wales has cancelled train journeys on the following rail lines affecting Mid Wales on Sunday:

  • Heart of Wales Line (Swansea to Shrewsbury)
  • Cambrian Line (Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth/Pwllheli)
  • Shrewsbury - Birmingham International (West Midlands Railway hourly service still running)

Several rail firms announced they will operate reduced timetables amid speed restrictions due to strong gusts.

Network Rail said there will be a 50mph precautionary speed limit for trains, adding that “major travel disruption” is expected.

Strong winds have the potential to damage overhead electric wires and tracks due to debris or trees falling onto the railway.

Disruption could continue into Monday morning as repair work may be hampered by the conditions.

Storm Ciara was named by the Met Office on Wednesday and is moving eastwards towards the UK and Ireland.

Alex Burkill, a meteorologist at the Met Office, said the current spell of wet and windy weather is “the prelude, if you will, to what is Storm Ciara”.

He said the most pressing of the Met Office warnings is the amber wind warning.

“That’s where we’re likely to see significant impacts from the wind. We’re taking some damage to property, flying debris, and that could bring the risk of injury to people, as well as just the usual things such as power outages and disruption to travel.

“It is worth baring in mind that the strong winds on Sunday are going to be very widespread so it’s across the whole of the UK where we’re going to see very strong winds, so the impact will be widespread,” he said.

Mr Burkil said gusts of 70-80mph are expected. “And it could be a little bit stronger than that in some exposed spots,” he said.

Guy Addington, regional water safety lead at the RNLI, said: “This rough weather could making visiting our coasts around the UK and Ireland treacherous and bring very dangerous sea conditions.

“If you see someone else in danger in the water, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. If you have something that floats that they can hold on to, throw it to them.

“Don’t go in the water yourself – too many people drown trying to save others.”