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Wind and rain could disrupt Christmas travel in the UK Wind and rain could disrupt Christmas travel in the UK
(35 minutes later)
Heavy rain and strong winds could disrupt road and rail travel ahead of the Christmas break in parts of the UK.Heavy rain and strong winds could disrupt road and rail travel ahead of the Christmas break in parts of the UK.
The Met Office has issued amber warnings for rain for Wales, the east of England, south-west England and London and the South East from early on Monday morning.The Met Office has issued amber warnings for rain for Wales, the east of England, south-west England and London and the South East from early on Monday morning.
Numerous train companies expect services to be affected and the AA warned road disruption was likely.Numerous train companies expect services to be affected and the AA warned road disruption was likely.
In London, Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park will be closed for the day.In London, Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park will be closed for the day.
The attraction said it would shut because of the predicted "high winds and extreme rain", before opening as planned on Tuesday.The attraction said it would shut because of the predicted "high winds and extreme rain", before opening as planned on Tuesday.
Christmas getawayChristmas getaway
The Met Office amber warnings run from 07:00 GMT on Monday to 09:00 on Tuesday. They mean people in the areas affected should "be prepared" for disruption.The Met Office amber warnings run from 07:00 GMT on Monday to 09:00 on Tuesday. They mean people in the areas affected should "be prepared" for disruption.
BBC weather forecaster Nick Miller said the weather would be getting in the way of the Christmas getaway, because of a rapidly deepening area of low pressure which would push more stormy weather across the UK.BBC weather forecaster Nick Miller said the weather would be getting in the way of the Christmas getaway, because of a rapidly deepening area of low pressure which would push more stormy weather across the UK.
Elements include heavy rain and severe gales, some snow especially across parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland, and disruption is likely.
Persistent rain would already be in Wales and south-west England by early morning on Monday.
The rainfall falling on saturated ground means a heightened risk of flooding as a result, our forecaster added.The rainfall falling on saturated ground means a heightened risk of flooding as a result, our forecaster added.
Affected areas
Elements include heavy rain and severe gales, some snow especially across parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland, and disruption is likely.
Persistent rain has already hit Wales and south-west England.
The stormiest weather on Christmas Eve will be in Scotland and Northern Ireland, with gusts of 80mph or more in the worst affected areas.The stormiest weather on Christmas Eve will be in Scotland and Northern Ireland, with gusts of 80mph or more in the worst affected areas.
Chris Burton, from weather forecaster MeteoGroup, said rain would be heaviest and most persistent across southern areas of England, the Midlands and Wales, with up to 2in (50mm) of rain falling. Chris Burton, from weather forecaster MeteoGroup, said up to 2in (50mm) of rain was expected to fall across southern areas of England, the Midlands and Wales.
Gusts of 60mph across England and Wales, Northern Ireland and western Scotland are expected. Gusts of 60mph across England and Wales, Northern Ireland and western Scotland are also expected.
Forecasters said the conditions would ease off for Christmas Day and Boxing Day before possibly returning on Friday.Forecasters said the conditions would ease off for Christmas Day and Boxing Day before possibly returning on Friday.
Flooding
The Environment Agency said there was a medium risk of flooding on Monday in southern areas, including Hampshire, Kent, West Sussex, Surrey, the south west of England and Greater London.The Environment Agency said there was a medium risk of flooding on Monday in southern areas, including Hampshire, Kent, West Sussex, Surrey, the south west of England and Greater London.
Several flood warnings and alerts - which are updated every 15 minutes - are currently in place across England and Wales.Several flood warnings and alerts - which are updated every 15 minutes - are currently in place across England and Wales.
The agency's director of operations, David Jordan, warned people not to try to drive through floodwater - and said that just 30cm of water was enough to carry a car away. The agency's director of operations, David Jordan, warned people not to try to drive through floodwater.
"Tragically, people die because they've taken risks and attempted to drive through floodwater just to save a few minutes."Tragically, people die because they've taken risks and attempted to drive through floodwater just to save a few minutes.
"If there is widespread flooding in your area then don't travel and if a road is closed then turn around and make a detour.""If there is widespread flooding in your area then don't travel and if a road is closed then turn around and make a detour."
Pete Fox from the Agency warned that driving into just 30cm of water was enough to carry a car away.
He added: "We're going to see river flooding in all likelihood tomorrow and on through the Christmas period.
"So if people are living at flood risk, they need to take heed of warnings they receive.
"And if they are planning to leave their house, they need to make sure they move valuables upstairs, otherwise they might come back to a very soggy Christmas."
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has issued several flood warnings for Tayside, as well as alerts for other areas.The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has issued several flood warnings for Tayside, as well as alerts for other areas.
Speed restrictions Travel advice
A number of train companies have said they expect services to be affected by the weather.A number of train companies have said they expect services to be affected by the weather.
Speed restrictions will be imposed on some routes to try to reduce the risks from trees and other debris that may fall onto the tracks, Network Rail said.Speed restrictions will be imposed on some routes to try to reduce the risks from trees and other debris that may fall onto the tracks, Network Rail said.
Because of the expected disruption, many train operators have advised customers with tickets for Monday afternoon to travel earlier.Because of the expected disruption, many train operators have advised customers with tickets for Monday afternoon to travel earlier.
Passengers are advised to check the National Rail Enquiries website or speak to their train company.Passengers are advised to check the National Rail Enquiries website or speak to their train company.
East Coast said there would be speed restrictions on the route to and from London Kings Cross, with some cancellations.
Virgin Trains said delays and disruption were expected to services from mid-afternoon due to forecast strong winds and 50mph speed limits between its London Euston and Birmingham New Street, and Rugby and Nuneaton, routes.
It said tickets for specific trains on Monday could be used at any time.
South West Trains said there there was a very high possibility of severe disruption from about 13:00 GMT, with heavy rain and strong winds of up to 60mph forecast across its network.
Arriva Trains Wales advised passengers to check their journeys before travelling by visiting its website for up to date service information.
First Capital Connect said it would be running reduced services on its Great Northern and Thameslink routes.
Greater Anglia and Stansted Express services said it would run at a reduced speed from 18:00 GMT until the end of the day.
Trains are not expected to run on Tuesday before 10:00 GMT while engineers check for damage to overhead wires, and there will be no replacement bus services.
The AA said Monday was likely to be one of the busiest days on the road ahead of Christmas, with key motorways and A-roads busier than usual.The AA said Monday was likely to be one of the busiest days on the road ahead of Christmas, with key motorways and A-roads busier than usual.
"Driving conditions in places are going to pretty horrible... with reduced visibility and standing water causing problems," it said."Driving conditions in places are going to pretty horrible... with reduced visibility and standing water causing problems," it said.
The Highways Agency, which manages major roads in England, is advising drivers of vehicles vulnerable to high winds to avoid certain roads if possible.The Highways Agency, which manages major roads in England, is advising drivers of vehicles vulnerable to high winds to avoid certain roads if possible.
It said gusts of up to 60mph were likely in areas south of the M4 and as far east as Suffolk, with 70mph gusts likely on routes close to the coast.It said gusts of up to 60mph were likely in areas south of the M4 and as far east as Suffolk, with 70mph gusts likely on routes close to the coast.
Its head of on-road services, John McTaggart, said: "Road users are urged to check traffic and weather conditions before setting out on journeys, and to heed any advice such as speed restrictions.Its head of on-road services, John McTaggart, said: "Road users are urged to check traffic and weather conditions before setting out on journeys, and to heed any advice such as speed restrictions.
"Be aware of sudden gusts of wind, and give high-sided vehicles, caravans, motorbikes and bicycles plenty of space.""Be aware of sudden gusts of wind, and give high-sided vehicles, caravans, motorbikes and bicycles plenty of space."
The agency said it may need to close certain bridges in the event of persistent high winds.The agency said it may need to close certain bridges in the event of persistent high winds.
While there are currently no planned flight delays, Heathrow and Stansted have advised passengers to check with their airline before travelling to the airports on Monday.While there are currently no planned flight delays, Heathrow and Stansted have advised passengers to check with their airline before travelling to the airports on Monday.
Gatwick said that although some adverse weather was expected the airport did not expect it to cause any problems.Gatwick said that although some adverse weather was expected the airport did not expect it to cause any problems.
On Sunday, 40 firefighters were called to Jedburgh in the Scottish Borders after a flash flood swept through the town. Gale force winds damaged ancient woodland in Gwynedd.On Sunday, 40 firefighters were called to Jedburgh in the Scottish Borders after a flash flood swept through the town. Gale force winds damaged ancient woodland in Gwynedd.
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