THE Cardigan area is set to be battered by gale-force winds over the next few days.

A Met Office weather yellow alert is warning of winds hitting 70mph around coastal areas from later tonight and into the weekend.

The first warning runs from 10pm tonight (Wednesday, February 6) to 9am tomorrow morning.

A Met Office spokesman said: “A period of very strong and gusty winds is likely on Wednesday night and Thursday morning. Strongest winds will be across South West England and South and West Wales late evening, with gusts of 60 to 70 mph on coasts and 50 to 60 mph inland.

“Elsewhere winds will be strongest after midnight, with gusts of 60 mph on coasts and 50 mph inland before easing during Thursday morning.”

Delays to road, rail, air and ferry transport are likely, including for high-sided vehicles crossing bridges, while there could also be power cuts

And there is not much respite before the next low pressure weather system sweeps in, with another yellow alert in place for gales between noon on Friday and 6pm on Saturday.

Once again coastal areas are set to bear the main brunt with heavy rain also expected to add to the problems.

The Met Office spokesman said: “A deep area of low pressure is expected to track across northern Britain later on Friday and through early Saturday. Southwesterly winds will strengthen through Friday.

“Gales will become widespread later on Friday, persisting well into Saturday while becoming more westerly. Whilst some places may miss the worst of the winds, inland gusts of 50 mph are expected quite widely, with some places having gusts in excess of 60 mph.

“Gusts of up to 70 mph are likely around some coasts exposed to the west or southwest. Winds will gradually ease on Saturday.

“These winds will lead to large waves affecting coasts and the possibility of waves overtopping some coastal routes, especially in the west and south of the warning area.

"In addition, bands of heavy rain sweeping eastwards on Friday in particular will present an additional hazard."