Travel news live: Christmas getaway delays as 100 Heathrow flights cancelled

Travel news live: Christmas getaway delays as 100 Heathrow flights cancelled
Christmas getaway delays as 100 Heathrow flights cancelled amid 80mph wind weather warnings

Heathrow Airport said “a small number of flights” have been cancelled on Saturday due to “strong winds and airspace restrictions”.

Around 100 flights due to arrive and depart on Sunday have been cancelled due to restrictions on the rate at which planes can land and take-off.

However, spokesperson for the UK’s busiest airport said that while the vast majority of passengers can travely safely as planned, they should check with their airline for cancellations.

It comes as weather warnings kick in for parts of the UK on Saturday as millions more people get away for Christmas.

The AA predicted 23.7 million drivers hit the road on Friday, making it the busiest day on the roads since the group’s records began in 2010.

It projected that Saturday would see 22.7 million drivers and Sunday 21.3 million.

But Met Office yellow warnings have issued for parts of the UK this weekend, with the RAC warning travelling could be a “pretty exhausting experience” due to the conditions.

Yellow warnings for wind are in place from 7am on Saturday to 9pm on Sunday in the North West, the North East, Scotland and parts of Wales and Northern Ireland.

Five day weather forecast

This Evening and Tonight:

Frequent blustery showers continue overnight, turning increasingly to sleet and snow over the hills in the north and west. Some clear spells between the showers and remaining very windy.

A cold and very windy day on Sunday with sunny spells and blustery, wintry showers, these tending to fall as rain into the afternoon. Feeling cold despite the sunshine.

Outlook for Monday to Wednesday:

Turning milder during Monday and Christmas Eve with outbreaks of rain spreading southeast, and still windy. Drier in the south into Christmas Day although still rather damp in the north.

Holly Evans22 December 2024 04:00

Mapped: Where Met Office weather warnings for 80mph winds will hit UK

Yellow wind warnings have been released for the weekend, with one covering Scotland, much of Northern Ireland, north Wales and north-west England between 7am and midnight on Saturday.

Sunday’s warning also includes London, the South East, the South West, the East Midlands, the West Midlands, Yorkshire and all of Wales and Northern Ireland.

Read the full article here:

Holly Evans22 December 2024 03:00

Met Office reveals whether white Christmas is coming to UK in forecast

Britons hoping for a white Christmas are set to be sorely disappointed with a mild and grey 25 December, forecasters have predicted.

However, the day is likely to be settled, cloudy and dry with light winds for most of the UK, according to the forecaster.

Read the full article here:

Holly Evans22 December 2024 02:00

Ferries in Scotland cancelled and trains implement speed restrictions

Ferries have been cancelled and train services impacted as high winds hit Scotland’s Christmas getaway.

By noon on Saturday, CalMac, which operates ferry services on Scotland’s west coast, reported that sailings on 21 of its routes were cancelled for the day, with other services facing disruption.

Meanwhile, Northlink Ferries, which runs services between Aberdeen and the Orkney and Shetland isles, also reported disruption.

It said “adverse weather conditions” meant a sailing between Kirkwall on Orkney and Lerwick in the Shetland Isles was cancelled, along with sailings between Aberdeen and Lerwick, which were scheduled for Saturday evening.

Rail operator ScotRail announced that speed restrictions would be in place for part of the route between Glasgow and Oban/Mallaig, and the Inverness service to Kyle/Wick.

Holly Evans22 December 2024 00:00

Sunday’s wind could reach 80mph with ‘dangerous coastal conditions’

Sunday’s warning includes London, the South East, the South West, the East Midlands, the West Midlands, Yorkshire and all of Wales and Northern Ireland.

Westerly winds are forecast to pick up over Saturday with 50-60mph gusts expected, with a small chance of some reaching 80mph.

The Met Office said: “The strongest winds are expected across the far north of Scotland on Saturday afternoon and evening, with the potential for gusts in excess of 80mph in coastal districts including Orkney.

“Dangerous coastal conditions can be expected too, with large waves an additional hazard, especially with respect to causeways. This period of strong winds may lead to some transport disruption, including ferry delays or cancellations.

“Frequent blustery showers will also be a feature on Saturday and may merge into a longer spell of rain for a time in the far north and north west.”

Holly Evans21 December 2024 23:00

Your guide to passengers’ rights if your flight is cancelled.

Holly Evans21 December 2024 22:00

Weather and congestion to make ‘perfect storm’ for drivers

The AA predicted 23.7 million drivers would hit the road on Friday, making it the busiest day on the roads since the group’s records began in 2010.

It projected that Saturday would see 22.7 million drivers and Sunday 21.3 million.

A spokesperson for the group said: “With more than 20 million car journeys expected on both Saturday and Sunday 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.”

Holly Evans21 December 2024 21:00

Met Office warns travellers to wear an extra layer

The Met Office have warned travellers to wear an extra layer as the winds will make it feel colder than usual.

A spokesperson said: “Blustery showers will continue this evening, particularly in the north and west, where they will turn increasingly wintry over higher ground.

“You may also need an extra layer if you are heading out as the strong winds will make it feel cold for many of us.”

Holly Evans21 December 2024 20:00

Mapped: Where Met Office weather warnings for 80mph winds will hit UK

Yellow wind warnings have been released for the weekend, with one covering Scotland, much of Northern Ireland, north Wales and north-west England between 7am and midnight on Saturday.

Sunday’s warning also includes London, the South East, the South West, the East Midlands, the West Midlands, Yorkshire and all of Wales and Northern Ireland.

Read the full article here:

Holly Evans21 December 2024 19:00

Five day weather forecast

This Evening and Tonight:

Frequent blustery showers continue overnight, turning increasingly to sleet and snow over the hills in the north and west. Some clear spells between the showers and remaining very windy.

A cold and very windy day on Sunday with sunny spells and blustery, wintry showers, these tending to fall as rain into the afternoon. Feeling cold despite the sunshine.

Outlook for Monday to Wednesday:

Turning milder during Monday and Christmas Eve with outbreaks of rain spreading southeast, and still windy. Drier in the south into Christmas Day although still rather damp in the north.

Holly Evans21 December 2024 18:00

Source: independent.co.uk