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| Storm Barbara threatens to disrupt Christmas travel | Storm Barbara threatens to disrupt Christmas travel |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| People travelling for Christmas are being warned to expect disruption as Storm Barbara approaches the UK. | People travelling for Christmas are being warned to expect disruption as Storm Barbara approaches the UK. |
| The Met Office said the worst of the weather was expected on Friday and Saturday, with gusts of up to 90mph forecast in parts of Scotland. | The Met Office said the worst of the weather was expected on Friday and Saturday, with gusts of up to 90mph forecast in parts of Scotland. |
| The Met Office has issued an amber weather warning for northernmost Scotland, meaning "be prepared". | The Met Office has issued an amber weather warning for northernmost Scotland, meaning "be prepared". |
| Fog in London is delaying arrivals at Heathrow, Gatwick and City airports, according to British Airways. | Fog in London is delaying arrivals at Heathrow, Gatwick and City airports, according to British Airways. |
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| The fog, which is still forming, is concentrated in the south east and expected to linger throughout Thursday morning, according to BBC Weather. | The fog, which is still forming, is concentrated in the south east and expected to linger throughout Thursday morning, according to BBC Weather. |
| Pockets of Northern Ireland, north Wales and the north of England are also set to feel Barbara's force. | Pockets of Northern Ireland, north Wales and the north of England are also set to feel Barbara's force. |
| Keep up to date with traffic and weather news on the BBC: | |
| Grahame Madge, spokesman for the Met Office, said: "We have had the good fortune to be able to issue the weather warnings ahead of Storm Barbara coming, with plenty of time hopefully for people to change their plans if they need to. | Grahame Madge, spokesman for the Met Office, said: "We have had the good fortune to be able to issue the weather warnings ahead of Storm Barbara coming, with plenty of time hopefully for people to change their plans if they need to. |
| "But the nature of the storm means it still has the potential to have an impact on power supplies, structures, and disrupt bridge and ferry crossings." | "But the nature of the storm means it still has the potential to have an impact on power supplies, structures, and disrupt bridge and ferry crossings." |
| Expecting widespread disruption, the UK Coastguard issued a coastal safety warning, advising people to check the weather and tidal conditions before they set out. | |
| Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks said it was moving engineers to areas it expected to be hit by the storm, while Northern Powergrid said it was bringing in extra engineers. | Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks said it was moving engineers to areas it expected to be hit by the storm, while Northern Powergrid said it was bringing in extra engineers. |
| Storm Barbara has been named in line with the Met Office's alphabetical policy of naming storms when they are deemed to have the potential to cause a substantial impact in the UK or Republic of Ireland. | Storm Barbara has been named in line with the Met Office's alphabetical policy of naming storms when they are deemed to have the potential to cause a substantial impact in the UK or Republic of Ireland. |
| Barbara is only the second name designated this season, which began on October 1, and follows Storm Angus, which brought high winds and heavy rains to parts of Britain in November. | Barbara is only the second name designated this season, which began on October 1, and follows Storm Angus, which brought high winds and heavy rains to parts of Britain in November. |
| The storm comes as rail travel is being affected across the country because of strikes and 200 incidents of scheduled engineering works. | The storm comes as rail travel is being affected across the country because of strikes and 200 incidents of scheduled engineering works. |
| Although the next strike day is not planned until New Year's Eve, Southern Rail has warned of disruption every day because of an ongoing overtime ban from the ASLEF and RMT unions. | Although the next strike day is not planned until New Year's Eve, Southern Rail has warned of disruption every day because of an ongoing overtime ban from the ASLEF and RMT unions. |
| Elsewhere, major disruptions include: | Elsewhere, major disruptions include: |
| Although industrial action by baggage handlers has been cancelled, British Airways cabin crew are still planning to strike on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. | Although industrial action by baggage handlers has been cancelled, British Airways cabin crew are still planning to strike on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. |
| Scottish Transport Minister Humza Yousaf told BBC Scotland the government was working with agencies to do everything possible to help people travel safely. | Scottish Transport Minister Humza Yousaf told BBC Scotland the government was working with agencies to do everything possible to help people travel safely. |
| He said: "Ferries are particularly susceptible to disruption due to high winds and we may also see some disruption to flights. | He said: "Ferries are particularly susceptible to disruption due to high winds and we may also see some disruption to flights. |
| "Those planning to fly or use ferries this festive period should check with their operators for the latest information and consider the forecast as part of their plans." | "Those planning to fly or use ferries this festive period should check with their operators for the latest information and consider the forecast as part of their plans." |
| 'Slow down' | 'Slow down' |
| Friday is expected to be the busiest day on the road for the Christmas rush, with traffic information company Inrix saying some journeys may take up to three times as long compared with other times of the year. | Friday is expected to be the busiest day on the road for the Christmas rush, with traffic information company Inrix saying some journeys may take up to three times as long compared with other times of the year. |
| It predicts the worst affected routes will be: | It predicts the worst affected routes will be: |
| Highways England warned drivers to be prepared. | Highways England warned drivers to be prepared. |
| A spokesman said: "Many people will be planning long journeys over the next few days to see friends and relatives during Christmas but it's vital they slow down during stormy weather. | A spokesman said: "Many people will be planning long journeys over the next few days to see friends and relatives during Christmas but it's vital they slow down during stormy weather. |
| "Rain makes it harder for tyres to grip the road and harder for drivers to see ahead - significantly increasing the chances of being involved in a crash." | "Rain makes it harder for tyres to grip the road and harder for drivers to see ahead - significantly increasing the chances of being involved in a crash." |
| Are you preparing for Storm Barbara? Are you in the area expected to be disrupted? Let us know about your experiences. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories. | Are you preparing for Storm Barbara? Are you in the area expected to be disrupted? Let us know about your experiences. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories. |
| Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
| ·WhatsApp: +44 7525 900971 | ·WhatsApp: +44 7525 900971 |
| ·Tweet: @BBC_HaveYourSay | ·Tweet: @BBC_HaveYourSay |
| ·Send an SMS or MMS to 61124 | ·Send an SMS or MMS to 61124 |
| Or please use the form below: | Or please use the form below: |