The RAC is asking Christmas drivers if their journeys are needed as gusts of 80mph anticipated

Heavy winds are on their way to the UK with gusts of up to 80mph in some parts of the country expected. Now, the RAC is asking drivers to question whether their journeys are necessary

It’s going to be windy out there(Image: Ioannis Alexopoulos/LNP)

The RAC is asking drivers to question whether their journeys are really necessary as windy weather is expected over the festive period.

This comes as a deep area of low pressure fuelled by a powerful jet stream high above the Atlantic is set to bring very strong winds with gales in places to the UK in the coming days.

The windiest weather on Saturday is likely to be found across Scotland, parts of Northern Ireland, northern England and north Wales.

The Met Office has issued yellow warnings with a chance that gusts could reach 80mph in the most exposed parts of north-west Scotland. Gusts of 50-70mph are expected more widely across large swathes of the country.

The RAC has said to question if driving is essential(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)

This could bring disruption to road, rail, ferry and air transport. Large waves and flying debris are potential hazards, along with the risk of power cuts.

The RAC has said that motorcyclists are particularly at risk from strong cross winds while other drivers should consider whether journeys are really necessary.

The AA expects 23.7 million drivers to travel on Friday alone, with a further 22.7 million likely to hit the roads on each of Saturday and Monday.

According to the BBC, likely traffic hotspots include the M4/M5 interchange near Bristol, sections of the M25 around London, the M5 and M6 in the West Midlands and parts of the M60 in Greater Manchester.

The RAC went on to say that motorists should plan their routes carefully, hold the steering wheel firmly to keep control in gusty conditions, and drive more slowly to minimise the impact of strong winds on vehicle handling.

Many train services are also expected to be rammed over the weekend with National Rail warning of engineering works on many routes which will cause disruption regardless of any weather impacts.

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There is also the potential for disruption on ferry routes and at the airports.

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