The M48 Severn Bridge has been closed due to dangerously high winds as Storm Chandra continues to batter the South West of England with severe weather. The closure, which began in the early hours of Tuesday, has disrupted traffic between England and Wales, redirecting vehicles onto the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge.
National Highways confirmed the closure via X (formerly Twitter), explaining that the decision was made as a safety precaution between junctions J2 (Chepstow) and J1 (Aust) where strong gusts threaten drivers. Authorities are continuously monitoring wind speeds to determine when it will be safe to reopen the bridge.
This closure highlights why the older M48 Severn Bridge is more vulnerable to windy conditions compared to its counterpart, the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge. According to National Highways, the Severn Estuary creates strong gusts across the bridges, which can jeopardize vehicle safety. The M4 Prince of Wales Bridge is equipped with protective barriers that mitigate wind effects, whereas the M48 lacks these features.
When wind gusts exceed 40 knots (46 mph), the M48 is closed to all traffic. If wind speeds surpass 70 knots (80 mph), both the M48 and M4 bridges are shut. In such cases, travelers are advised to use alternative routes via the M5, M50, A40, and A449 to cross between England and Wales.
Storm Chandra’s impact extends beyond the bridge closure. Persistent heavy rain has saturated the ground, causing flooding and road closures across Dorset, Somerset, and eastern Devon. Key affected routes include the A30 at East Devon, A303 at the Somerset-Devon border, and the A35 in Dorset. Additionally, the Humber Bridge in East Yorkshire has been closed to high-sided vehicles. National Rail also warns of potential disruptions to South Western Railway services due to the severe weather.
There are currently 69 flood warnings across England, predominantly in the South West, alongside flood alerts for parts of Wales and Scotland. The Met Office has issued three warnings for the South West—an amber warning for flooding and rain, and two yellow warnings for rain and wind.
The Met Office forecasts winds of 60–70 mph on the eastern coast of Northern Ireland, with some coastal spots possibly reaching 75 mph. Described as unusual easterly winds, these conditions are expected to have significant impacts.
Forecasters urge residents in affected areas, including south Devon, much of Dorset, southern Somerset, and south-east Cornwall, to remain vigilant. Amber and yellow warnings remain active until Tuesday morning, with rain warnings lifting later in the day and wind warnings continuing until the afternoon.
Met Office chief forecaster Paul Gundersen emphasized the severity of the situation: “Strong winds will initially hit the Isles of Scilly, western Cornwall, and south-west Wales, with gusts up to 80 mph possible. Heavy rain will exacerbate flooding risks across Dorset, Devon, Somerset, and Cornwall where the ground is already saturated.
“As the storm moves northward, snow is anticipated over high ground in the Pennines, southern Scotland, and the Highlands, with accumulations of 10-20cm. Given this complex weather pattern, staying updated with forecast warnings is crucial to ensuring safety.”