Powys is set for a blustery night as Storm Arwen sweeps into the county – but snow is predicted to miss most of the county.

The first signs of the storm have already appeared with rain and wind across the region today, but Met Office forecasts show that more serious gusts are set to blow into the county overnight.

A rare red warning has been issued for parts of northern England and Scotland, while an amber warning for snow has been put in place around the cost and north of Wales.

In all but the most westerly parts of Powys, the warnings are less severe, but there is nonetheless a yellow warning in force for wind across the county. However, the worst of the wind is, as of 5pm on Friday, expected to subside by Saturday evening, meaning that local Christmas events may not yet be over and done with – although it may be wise to check before going out.

Here is the Met Office forecast for Newtown:

  • Friday 8pm: 40% chance of rain, 31mph winds
  • Friday 10pm: 90% chance of rain, 42mph winds
  • Saturday, 12am: 90% chance of rain, 54mph winds
  • Saturday, 2am: 50% chance of rain, 56mph winds
  • Saturday, 4am: 20% chance of rain, 53mph winds
  • Saturday, 6am: 10% chance of rain, 50mph winds
  • Saturday, 8am: 10% chance of rain, 46mph winds
  • Saturday, 10am: 10% chance of rain, 43mph winds
  • Saturday, 12noon: 10% chance of rain, 40mph winds
  • Saturday, 4pm: <5% chance of rain, 33mph winds
  • Saturday, 8pm: <5% chance of rain, 26mph winds

The red warning stretches along the east coast from Middlesbrough to beyond Aberdeen and is the first maximum alert to be issued since Storm Dennis in February 2020.

County Times: A graphic showing how the weather warnings are expected to spreadA graphic showing how the weather warnings are expected to spread

Most of the UK is blanketed by weather warnings as the storm approaches, with those set to be in force on Saturday.

Temperatures are set to fall with the storm, too, and the Met Office has warned the north east of England, north west of England, Yorkshire, West Midlands and the East Midlands will experience cold weather from Friday to Monday.

The UK Health Security Agency has issued a cold weather alert and Will Land, head of civil contingencies at the forecaster, said: “The UK will see temperatures drop to below average in the coming days, as cold air is drawn in from the north.

“This is coupled with the strong winds associated with Storm Arwen, which means it will feel especially cold in the wind.

“Areas in the north will see temperatures below freezing overnight, with daytime maximum temperatures only getting into the low single figures.

“It’s important to note that strong wind speeds, in excess of 65mph in exposed locations, will exacerbate the cold temperatures we’ll be seeing over the weekend.”