For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails
Sign up to our free breaking news emails
The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning as strong winds are expected to bring travel chaos in the run-up to Christmas.
Gales are expected to reach up to 80mph in some areas, with all of Scotland and large swathes of England set to be affected from midnight tonight until Thursday evening.
The warning comes with a caution for Brits heading home for Christmas ahead of the weekend, saying that they should expect travel disruptions on roads and train services.
Network Rail have cancelled several services in Scotland on Thursday morning as staff check the lines for debris and damage.
It comes as it is revealed there is “high degree of confidence” that the UK will see snow over the Christmas period.
“We can say with a high degree of confidence it will be a white Christmas this year,” Met Office spokesperson Grahame Madge told The Independent.
“However that does not mean we will see blankets of snow. It is more likely we will see snow in higher parts of the UK like the North Pennines or Scottish Highlands.”
Two cars crushed and driver injured by falling trees in Derbysire
Derbyshire Police have closed several roads as two cars were crushed by falling trees in half an hour.
The force is warning road users to “please go carefully”.
Map shows windy start as Storm Pia picks up speed in North
Winds as high as 80mph expected as Storm Pia batters Scotland
A yellow weather warning for wind came into effect at midnight and will last until 9pm, with forecasted gusts of 70mph to 80mph in northern Scotland – 65mph to 70mph on high ground – and 45mph to 55mph elsewhere in the country.
The warning also covers Belfast, Newcastle upon Tyne and Manchester.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland warned people on the roads to be aware of the potential for falling trees and debris.
A statement said: “Road users are advised of potential traffic disruption this morning, Thursday 21st December, caused by fallen trees and debris in some areas across Northern Ireland.
“Officers have been assisting with traffic control whilst local roads are being cleared of any obstructions, and we thank you for your patience as we continue to do so.”
Schools in Shetland will be closed on Thursday and more electricity network engineers are being brought in to deal with any power cuts.
Ferry services across the west coast of Scotland are expected to be disrupted, CalMac said.
Danger zone: Met Office is warning of 80mph winds
Air: British Airways grounds 24 short-haul flights as Loganair offers flexibility to change Scottish plans
British Airways has grounded two dozen domestic and European flights to and from London Heathrow, including multiple links to and from Amsterdam.
Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow routes also have cancellations.
A British Airways spokesperson said: “Due to the high winds forecast as part of Storm Pia, we have made some adjustments to our schedule with as much notice as possible for our customers. We have apologised for the disruption to their travel plans and our teams are working hard to get their journeys back on track as quickly as possible.”
In Scotland, some Loganair services are cancelled and others delayed.
The airline says: “We are offering customers the opportunity to adjust travel plans without charge. You can choose to re-book on an alternative flight up to seven days from your original travel date.”
Rail: many cancellations and warnings of delays
Some railway lines in Scotland are closed completely due to Storm Pia. Even on stretches that are open one operator is urging passengers not to attempt to make Anglo-Scottish journeys.
TransPennine Express is advising passengers not to try to travel in or out of Edinburgh until after 3pm, with no services running between Edinburgh and north west England until Thursday afternoon.
Network Rail Scotland is telling passengers: “We’ll suspend train services on some routes on Thursday until we can safely inspect our tracks for fallen trees and debris.
“Those lines are the West Highland Line (including lines to Oban and Mallaig), Kyle of Lochalsh Line, Far North Line and Inverness-Inverurie.
“Speed restrictions will also be in place across the Highland Mainline, as well as some central belt, south-west Scotland and cross-border routes.
“Our local maintenance teams are well prepared, with additional chainsaw gangs ready to clear fallen trees and extra staff on hand across the country.”
LNER is curtailing trains that would normally serve northern Scotland and says: “Some LNER services between Edinburgh and London Kings Cross will terminate or start at Newcastle.”
The train operator has lifted restrictions for tickets dated Thursday 21 December. Tickets are valid on LNER services throughout Thursday 21 December and Friday 22 December.
Northern warns of speed restrictions on a number of lines, adding 45 minutes to journeys.
Trains delayed and cancelled as Storm Pia hits UK
Network Rail has confirmed services in Scotland will be delayed this morning as they assess the damage done by Storm Pia overnight.
Due to the risk of trees and debris blocking the lines following 80mph winds due tonight, Network Rail said some rail lines will need to be inspected before passenger services can begin to run.
A spokesperson told The Independent that they believe the delays will be in place until at least mid-morning.
“Services on some routes will be significantly impacted by Storm Pia, and in addition to some cancellations on the routes most impacted, customers can expect short notice changes to their journeys,” David Simpson, ScotRail service delivery director, said.
“We will be working closely with our colleagues at Network Rail Scotland to ensure we are able to keep people moving as much as possible, but customers should also expect that their journeys will take longer than usual.”
Lines affected include the West Highland line, Kyle of Lochalsh line, Far North line, and the Inverness-Inverurie line.
Speed restrictions will also be in place across the Highland Mainline, as well as some central belt, south-west Scotland and cross-border routes.
Today’s forecast
Brits across the UK will wake up this morning to feel the effects of Storm Pia.
Although the storm - named by the Danish Met Office - will mainly impact Denmark, some parts of the UK will feel wind gusts of up to 80mph.
Here’s Thursday’s forecast according to the Met Office:
New Year’s forecast
As it’s revealed that some parts of the UK will see a white Christmas, the Met Office has also shared what New Year’s celebrations may look like for Brits.
Looking towards the New Year, the forecasters said that weather looks to remain unsettled with low pressure bringing breezy and wet conditions for many, but there will be some drier and brighter interludes.
In terms of winter snow, Met Office Chief Meteorologist, Paul Gundersen, said: “Beyond Christmas Day further rain or showers and strong winds are likely for many, and again any sleet and snow will be mainly over the hills of Scotland, as is often the case in December.”
Where will be hit the worst?
Storm Pia is due to impact the UK’s weather from midnight tonight - but where will be hit the worst?
The storm was named by the Danish Met Office and will likely impact Denmark more than the UK.
In Britain, the north of Scotland is expected to be hit the worst with wind speeds of up to 80mph. Meanwhile, 45-55mph wind gusts will hit elsewhere in Northern Ireland, Scotland, North Wales and England north of Birmingham as well as the top half of East Anglia.
Met Office Chief Meteorologist, Paul Gundersen, said: “Exposed coasts and high ground could see gusts of 70-80mph at times, mainly across the far north of Scotland. There’s a chance this low pressure will continue to exert its influence into Friday, so it’s important to stay up to date with the latest Met Office forecast.
“This system has been named Storm Pia by the Danish Met Service, with the system likely to have more severe impacts in Denmark.”
UK weather: Met Office reveals where will see White Christmas this year
Forecasters say it is highly likely the UK will see a white Christmas this year - in certain areas at least.
With millions planning their Christmas getaway, Britons will be keen to know whether ice and snow will be on the cards when they hit the roads and railways towards the end of the week. The Met Office said it had a “high degree of confidence” there would be snowfall over the festive period.
However, the forecaster stressed this does not necessarily mean the country will be covered in blankets of the white stuff and has urged people not to get their hopes up for a “picture perfect white landscape”.
https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiYWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmluZGVwZW5kZW50LmNvLnVrL3dlYXRoZXIvd2VhdGhlci13YXJuaW5ncy1zdG9ybS1waWEtbWV0LW9mZmljZS1mbGlnaHRzLWIyNDY3NjMxLmh0bWzSAQA?oc=5
2023-12-21 07:53:02Z
CBMiYWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmluZGVwZW5kZW50LmNvLnVrL3dlYXRoZXIvd2VhdGhlci13YXJuaW5ncy1zdG9ybS1waWEtbWV0LW9mZmljZS1mbGlnaHRzLWIyNDY3NjMxLmh0bWzSAQA
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar