Weather warnings issued as Storm Gerrit causes rail, road and air delays
Weather warnings are in place for wind and rain as Storm Gerrit sweeps across the country. Travellers have been warned of delays and potentially hazardous conditions on their way home from the Christmas[1] holidays, with the storm forecast to bring wintry weather[2] for some.
Wind warnings are in place for the south of England and across the English Channel coast as well as parts of western Wales, north-west England, Northern Ireland, northern Scotland and the northern isles. According to the Environment Agency, five flood warnings, meaning flooding is expected, are active in England, along with 100 lesser flood alerts.
Some delays to road, rail, air and ferry transport are likely. Eighteen domestic British Airways flights have been cancelled.
Air traffic control restrictions mean the BA flights due to operate to or from London’s Heathrow Airport were axed. They were return domestic trips to Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Jersey and Manchester, and to Barcelona, Berlin, Madrid and Paris Charles de Gaulle in mainland Europe.
A British Airways spokesman said: “As a result of air traffic control restrictions put in place because of Storm Gerrit, we have had to make some adjustments to our schedule today. We have apologised to our customers for any disruption to their travel plans and our teams are working hard to get them on their way as quickly as possible.”
Ferry operator Red Funnel, which provides services between Southampton and Cowes on the Isle of Wight, warned customers to expect cancellations on its Red Jet passenger services due to strong winds. Hovercraft services between Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight are currently suspended.
Network Rail Scotland has imposed speed restrictions on Wednesday and travellers are urged to check for cancellations. A tree fell on the line and caught fire near Dumbarton East Station in West Dunbartonshire, Network Rail Scotland said, closing the line in both directions.
Flooding between Lockerbie in Dumfries and Galloway and Carlisle in Cumbria means all lines are currently blocked, Network Rail said. Delays are also likely around Malton in North Yorkshire, where a tree is blocking the line.
Train operator LNER has cancelled or amended some of its services due to the severe weather. The M48 Severn Bridge in Gloucestershire is currently closed in both directions due to strong winds, National Highways said.
Drivers are advised to use the M4[3] Prince of Wales Bridge as an alternate route. The A1M is currently closed northbound between J52 (Catterick, Richmond) and J53 (Scotch Corner) due to flooding from heavy rain in the area.
The RAC has warned drivers not to underestimate the dangers of high winds. Spokesman Simon Williams said: “While high-sided vehicles are most at risk of being blown off course, car drivers can also be affected when they pass lorries on the motorway and are suddenly hit by the full force of the wind on the other side.
“Keeping both hands on the wheel at all times is the best advice, along with watching other vehicles very carefully so as not to get caught out by any unexpected changes in course. Getting to motorways and major roads may also be more difficult. Drivers should reduce their speeds and be on the look-out for fallen branches, and even trees, along with other debris.”
The RNLI urged those visiting the coast to exercise extreme caution, particularly along exposed cliffs, seafronts and piers. Gareth Morrison, RNLI water safety partner, said: “The RNLI advises staying a safe distance away from the water and cliff edges as the conditions could knock you off your feet or wash you into the sea. It is not worth risking your life.”
Last week, people travelling for Christmas were among those affected as Storm Pia lashed parts of the UK in the countdown to the festive season. Winds of more than 80mph battered northern parts of the UK, with gusts of 81mph recorded at Brizlee Wood near Alnwick, Northumberland, and at Baltasound on Shetland, with 70mph gusts reported elsewhere in the North East of England.
Met Office meteorologist Simon Partridge said Storm Gerrit was named as a warning to people travelling after the Christmas holidays. He said: “Due to the extent of the warnings that are being issued, it was deemed that a named storm would be a good idea because it will highlight to the public the risk associated, particularly as today is likely to be quite a busy day on the roads with people travelling back home from Christmas and things like that.”
Mr Partridge said wet and windy weather will cover “pretty much the whole of the UK”, with significant snowfall in parts of Scotland. A yellow rain and snow warning is in place until 9pm across much of Scotland on Wednesday.
Mr Partridge added: “There are wind warnings out for the south of England, across the English Channel coast. But we also have wind warnings in force for parts of western Wales, north-west England, Northern Ireland, northern Scotland and the northern isles.”
He said only the central section of the UK does not have a wind warning. Wind warning areas can expect gusts of 50-60mph, with up to 70mph on high ground and exposed coasts.
“In terms of rain, we have rain warnings out for the whole of Northern Ireland, western Wales, north-west England, and then there’s a combined sort of rain and snow warning for Scotland,” Mr Partridge said. Rain in the warning areas is forecast to be between 40-60mm, with the potential for 70-90mm in the western hills of Wales and the western side of the Pennines.
There is a chance of power cuts, as well as a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded. Anywhere above 200 metres in Scotland and the northern isles is likely to see some snow, he added.