Met Office yellow warning issued for Wales with seven inches of rain forecast to cause 48 hours of flash flooding

Up to seven inches of rain could fall across parts of Wales this week, as the Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for much of the country.

While snow targets large swathes of England, Wales should brace for more than 48 hours of downpours as the warning comes into force from 6pm on Monday (January 18).

The Met Office is warning of a "danger to life" from fast-flowing flood waters as well as damage to homes and businesses in the warning area, which covers all 22 of Wales' local authorities.

Only communities in the far east of Wales, such as Wrexham, will miss out on the worst of the wet weather.

A weather warning for rain will come into effect in Wales on Monday evening (January 18) (Met Office)

According to the warning: "A broad area of rainfall will arrive across this region later on Monday and remain across the area for the following 36-48 hours.

"Rainfall will be heaviest and most persistent across western facing hills. Over the course of this time, 30-60 mm of rainfall is expected to fall widely across the warning area."

What are UK weather warnings and what do they mean?

However, they said there is the the potential for up to 150-200mm, or up to seven inches, across the region's most exposed hills, particularly in northwest Wales.

Strong winds will accompany the rainfall and may add to travel difficulties across higher and more exposed routes.

Until midweek, most of Wales will be battered by persistent heavy rain (Met Office)

Residents within the warning area should prepare for the risk of flooding to homes and businesses, as well as damage to some buildings. Power cuts and loss of other services is also possible.

Spray and flooding is likely to lead to difficult driving conditions, with some communities at risk of being cut off by flooded roads. Delays and cancellations to train and bus services are also possible.

The weather warning will remain in effect until 6pm on Wednesday (January 20).

Here's what to expect where you live:

Cardiff

Cardiff weather forecast (Met Office)

Swansea

Swansea weather forecast (Met Office)

Tenby

Tenby weather forecast (Met Office)

Aberporth

Aberporth weather forecast (Met Office)

Aberystwyth

Aberystwyth weather forecast (Met Office)

Porthmadog

Porthmadog weather forecast (Met Office)

Rhyl

Rhyl weather forecast (Met Office)

Builth Wells

Builth Wells weather forecast (Met Office)