GALES and heavy rain is set to pummel Wales this week, according to Met Office forecasters.

Wales is set to bear the brunt of 70mph winds with two warnings issued from Wednesday (February 6) to Saturday (February 9).

Today's weather warning is in place from 10pm until 9am on Thursday.

"A period of very strong and gusty winds is likely on Wednesday night and Thursday morning," according to the warning.

"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.

South Wales Argus:

(Weather warning for Wednesday and Thursday)

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

ALSO IN THE NEWS:

The second warning starts at midday on Friday, and is in place until 6pm on Saturday,

It says: "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 whilst 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, more especially across the north of the warning area on Saturday.

South Wales Argus:

(Weather warning for Friday and Saturday)

"Gusts of up to 70 mph are likely around some coasts exposed to the west or southwest.

"Winds will gradually ease on Saturday, with the strongest winds becoming confined to Scotland on Saturday afternoon.

"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."