Christmas journey disruption set to proceed with flights and ferries cancelled and motorways jammed – as maps present persevering with unhealthy climate

A ‘perfect storm’ of bad weather and millions of travellers has resulted in disruption at the start of the Christmas period – with some flights and ferries cancelled due to high winds.

The Met Office said yellow warnings for wind, which came into force at 7am on Saturday, are expected to remain in place until 9pm on today.

Warnings remain in place for Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and in England covering the North East, North West, South West and the West Midlands.

The AA predict 21.3 million drivers will hit the road today, slightly fewer than the 23.7 million on Friday which was the busiest day since the group’s records began in 2010.

A spokesperson said ‘if the congestion wasn’t enough of a headache, the inclement weather could create the perfect storm’.

‘We advise those heading out to allow extra time to travel and increase the distance between themselves and other road users.’

The RAC estimated seven million leisure trips would be made on major roads during the weekend, which excludes everyday traffic.

The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings covering northern England, Scotland and parts of Wales and Northern Ireland with some areas facing up to 80mph winds

The AA predicted 21.3 million drivers would hit the road on today, the busiest day on the roads since the group’s records began in 2010

Heavy rainfall is expected to cover the UK throughout today and Monday

Predicted congestion hotspots include: 

• Both directions of the M1 to Gatwick via the M25 and the M23; 
• Liverpool to Chester on the M53; 
• Oxford to the south coast via the A34 and the M3; 
• The Taunton to Almondsbury Interchange in Bristol heading down the M5. 
• It comes as the Met Office also warned of a ‘grey Christmas’ with cloudy and miserable weather predicted for Christmas Day. 

Heathrow Airport announced a ‘small number of flights’ had been cancelled due to ‘strong winds and airspace restriction’ and British Airways said disruption was likely to continue throughout the weekend. 

At least 15,000 passengers hoping to fly out for Christmas were affected by the cancellations at Heathrow due to ‘strong winds and airspace restrictions’.

A spokesman for the airport said: ‘This will ensure the vast majority of passengers can still safely travel as planned.

‘We know how important travel at this time of year is and have extra colleagues on hand in our terminals to support people on their journeys.

‘We encourage passengers to check in with their airlines for the latest information about their flights.’ 

P&O Ferries cancelled journeys between Larne in Northern Ireland and Cairnryan in Scotland yesterday for at least 24 hours ‘due to adverse weather conditions’. The sailings will not resume until at least 8pm today.

Passengers are being asked to stay away from the ports.

Heathrow Airport announced a ‘small number of flights’ had been cancelled due to ‘strong winds and airspace restriction

This Met Office map shows the temperatures currently forecast for tomorrow 

The RAC warned it could be ‘pretty exhausting experience, urging drivers to remain ‘patient’ ahead of the Christmas traffic chaos tomorrow 

This Met Office map shows the average wind speed across the UK today with highs of 70mph

Queues on the A102 Blackwall Tunnel approach in Greenwich South East London as the Christmas getaway begins on December 21

‘We ask our customers please not to travel to either of the ports if their sailing has been cancelled, to avoid causing traffic congestion,’ a company spokesman said.

The strong winds saw the M48 Severn Bridge in Gloucestershire closed in both directions yesterday between J1 (Aust) and J2 (Chepstow). The A66 in North Yorkshire and Cumbria was partly closed due to the gusts, according to National Highways.

Rail passengers faced delays and cancellations yesterday due to disruption caused by the bad weather and staff shortages. Great Northern and Thameslink apologised for ‘cancellations and service changes’ in south-east England.

Passengers in northern in north-west England will experience further cancellations today as trains are axed on six routes including Blackpool South to Preston and Oxenholme to Windermere.