Travellers on the first day back to work today after the Christmas and New Year holidays face travel disruption as damaging winds and heavy rain hit the UK.
Gusts of up to 80mph were affecting parts of Scotland and northern England this morning. European air traffic control body Eurocontrol warned of “severe flight delays” in the London area due to the strong winds.
The Met Office issued severe weather warnings for much of Scotland while travellers were warned to be aware of high winds across the UK. Severe gales are expected in many places and storm-force winds across Scotland, north Northern Ireland and around southern coasts, the Met Office said.
Heavy rain will then clear in most places but will continue in Scotland with snow, mainly on high ground. The rain may lead to localised flooding in western parts of the UK. Strong winds also affected ferry crossings to and from the Isle of Wight this morning.