Christmas travel disruptions loom in the UK as the Met Office issues yellow weather warnings for strong winds, with forecasters predicting gusts of up to 80mph in some areas.
Risk of Christmas Travel Disruption as UK Weather Warnings Issued
The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings for strong winds across large parts of the UK, with forecasters predicting gusts of up to 80mph in some areas.
Weather Forecast for the Weekend
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Friday: A relatively quiet day with outbreaks of rain spreading from west to east, followed by sunny spells and showers.
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Saturday and Sunday: Strong winds will dominate the weekend, with gusts reaching 50-70mph in many areas. Widespread showers are expected, some of which may be wintry with a mix of sleet, hail, and snow over hills.
Potential Disruptions
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Road transport: Congestion is expected on roads across the UK, particularly at hotspots such as the M4/M5 interchange near Bristol, sections of the M25 around London, and parts of the M60 in Greater Manchester.
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Rail transport: Many train services are expected to be busy over the weekend, with National Rail warning of engineering works on many routes that will cause disruption regardless of weather impacts.
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Air transport: There is also potential for disruption at airports due to strong winds.
Safety Advice
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Motorcyclists should take extra precautions in strong crosswinds.
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Drivers should consider whether journeys are really necessary and plan their routes carefully, holding the steering wheel firmly to keep control in gusty conditions. Driving more slowly can help minimize the impact of strong winds on vehicle handling.
Weather Outlook for Christmas Week
As we move into Christmas week itself, the weather is expected to calm down with winds easing by Monday. A weak weather front will bring cloudy conditions with some patchy rain and drizzle, but high pressure will be building, keeping rainfall amounts small. By Christmas Day, most places are expected to be dry with a chance of sunny spells. Temperatures will reach 10-13C across the UK, making it unlikely for a white Christmas in many areas.
