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Wind and rain could disrupt Christmas travel in some areas Wind and rain could disrupt Christmas travel in some areas
(about 1 hour 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.
People should "be prepared" for "some significant disruption" in those areas. Dozens of train companies expect services to be affected and the AA warned road disruption was likely.
Dozens of train companies expect services to be affected. Disruption on the roads is likely, the AA said. In London, Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park will be closed for the day.
From early on Monday morning, strong winds and heavy rain would be heading across the UK from the South West, BBC Weather forecaster Laura Gilchrist said. The attraction said it would shut because of the predicted "high winds and extreme rain", before opening as planned on Tuesday.
The Met Office amber warnings run from 07:00 GMT on Monday to 09:00 on Tuesday.
Strong winds and heavy rain will be heading across the UK from the South West from early on Monday morning, BBC Weather forecaster Laura Gilchrist says, pushing northwards and eastwards through the day.
"At times there could be gusts of to 60-70mph likely around the exposed coasts, especially along the English Channel," she said."At times there could be gusts of to 60-70mph likely around the exposed coasts, especially along the English Channel," she said.
There are expected to be strong winds of up to 90mph for the north-west of the country on Tuesday. There are expected to be strong winds of up to 90mph for the north-west of the country by Tuesday.
Forecasters said the conditions would continue into Tuesday but 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.
BBC Weather presenter Chris Fawkes said 20-40mm of rainfall is expected in Wales, the Midlands and the southern counties of England.BBC Weather presenter Chris Fawkes said 20-40mm of rainfall is expected in Wales, the Midlands and the southern counties of England.
He said Monday's rain could cause localised flooding where the ground is already saturated.He said Monday's rain could cause localised flooding where the ground is already saturated.
The Met Office amber warnings run from 07:00 GMT on Monday to 09:00 on Tuesday. 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 and Greater London.
The Environment Agency has said there is a medium risk of flooding on Monday in southern areas, including Hampshire, Kent, West Sussex, Surrey, the South West and Greater London. 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.
"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."
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has issued several flood warnings for Tayside, as well as alerts for other areas.
'Stay away''Stay away'
The agency's director of operations, David Jordan, said people should stay away from promenades along the south coast on Monday and Tuesday because of the stormy conditions. Many train companies have said they expect services to be affected by the weather.
In another warning he added: "Tragically people die because they've taken risks and attempted to drive through flood water just to save a few minutes." 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.
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 tomorrow [Monday] with reduced visibility and standing water causing problems," it said."Driving conditions in places are going to pretty horrible tomorrow [Monday] 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 south of the M4 to Suffolk, with 70mph gusts likely on routes close to the coast.It said gusts of up to 60mph were likely south of the M4 to 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 once they are on the strategic road network. 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, "so please be alert for warnings of closures and follow the clearly signed diversion routes". The agency said it may need to close certain bridges in the event of persistent high winds.
Rail disruption
Many 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.
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.
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.
Staff at Gatwick Airport said that although they were expecting some adverse weather they did not expect it to cause any problems.Staff at Gatwick Airport said that although they were expecting some adverse weather they 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.On Sunday, 40 firefighters were called to Jedburgh in the Scottish Borders after a flash flood swept through the town.
And gale force winds damaged ancient woodland in Gwynedd.And gale force winds damaged ancient woodland in Gwynedd.
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