The ten stations will feed local readings to operational teams and forecaster MetDesk, as Network Rail seeks to reduce the disruption and cost caused by named storms on the route.
Network Rail’s Wales and Borders route has become the first in the organisation to install local weather stations on existing GSM-R railway communication masts, in a move intended to give teams more accurate, real-time information when responding to severe weather.
Ten stations have been installed across the route. They measure rainfall, wind speed and direction, temperature, humidity and atmospheric pressure directly from locations on the railway. The technology was developed by Ninehundred Communications Group.
Lessons from named storms
The installation follows a series of severe weather events that have caused significant disruption and cost. Between February 2023 and January 2026, 25 named storms affected the Wales and Borders route. Where complete performance data is available, each storm caused an average of more than 38 hours of delays and £179,000 in train performance costs.
Storm Darragh was the most costly, at £1.3 million. When it reached Wales on 6 and 7 December 2024, winds reached 93mph at Capel Curig, and fallen trees and debris disrupted services across many parts of the country.
The investment comes as the Met Office forecasts an increased chance of wetter and windier than average conditions through late autumn and early winter, due to weather patterns such as El Niño.
giving our teams access to more accurate, localised information about conditions on the ground.”
Filling gaps in local monitoring
The stations are at Whitland, Llantwit, Cilmeri, St George’s and Trewyn in south and mid Wales, and at Craven Arms, Gobowen, Glantwymyn, Llanrwst and Buckley across north Wales and the Borders. The locations were selected to fill gaps in existing weather monitoring and provide better information in areas vulnerable to severe weather.
Network Rail already works with weather forecasting specialists MetDesk to monitor conditions and anticipate severe weather. The new stations will supplement this by providing local readings directly from the railway, giving operational teams a clearer picture of conditions on the ground. Using existing GSM-R masts provides the height required for observations while avoiding the cost and complexity of building separate installations.
Data from the stations will help MetDesk improve its forecasts and allow Network Rail to refine its operational weather thresholds. This could support a more targeted response, from deploying teams and inspections to deciding when measures such as speed restrictions are needed.
Daniel Booth, Head of Operational Weather Strategy at Network Rail Wales and Borders, said: “On the Wales and Borders route, we’re always looking at how new technology can help us better understand and respond to the challenges our railway faces. These new weather stations are a great example of that, giving our teams access to more accurate, localised information about conditions on the ground.”
Autumn preparations across the route
Alongside the weather stations, Network Rail is stepping up its autumn preparations across Wales and Borders. Four specialist treatment trains are set to treat more than 54,400 miles of track. Teams have carried out targeted drainage improvements at locations prone to flooding, and vegetation management has increased to reduce the risk from falling trees and branches. Ten dedicated Autumn Response Teams are ready to respond to changing conditions.
Booth added: “By learning from events like Storm Darragh and working closely with our weather forecasting partners, we can make better-informed decisions, respond earlier to changing conditions and ultimately help keep the railway running safely and reliably.”
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