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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 getaway | Christmas 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. |
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 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 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. | |
"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. |
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. |
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. |
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
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