High wind warning in effect during Christmas holidays

Weather warnings for high winds are due to come into force in parts of Britain from Saturday morning, as millions of people take to the streets ahead of Christmas.

The Met Office says winds could reach 50-60mph and motoring experts are predicting the busiest weekend of motoring this year, with disruption expected.

A yellow warning is in force for Scotland, northwest and northeast England and parts of Wales and Northern Ireland from 07:00 GMT on Saturday until 21:00 GMT on Sunday.

The scope of warning increased on Sunday To be carried in South West England, Derbyshire, Hampshire, West Midlands and parts of Yorkshire and throughout Wales and Northern Ireland.

Westerly winds are expected to become stronger from Saturday.

Forecasters say there was a slight chance of wind gusts up to 80mph in the far north of Scotland and Orkney and Shetland on Saturday afternoon and evening.

“Dangerous coastal conditions can also be expected, with large waves being an additional danger,” the Met Office said.

Transport Scotland said road, rail, air and ferry services are “likely to be affected by the conditions” and cancellations and restrictions on bridges are possible.

RAC spokesman Rod Dennis said: “With the heavy winds over the weekend, as well as the cold, rain in some places, it’s going to make for quite an exhausting experience for many of the estimated seven million journeys made by car “

According to the RAC, when non-holiday traffic is taken into account, around 14 million drivers are expected to hit the road during the weekend – a new record.

Winds are expected to subside by Monday, but a White Christmas is unlikely due to clouds and the possibility of rain.

The Met Office said “clear blue skies and snow on the ground at Christmas” is “certainly unlikely”.

“Christmas Day itself will be a fairly cloudy, normal day,” said Rebekah Hicks, deputy chief meteorologist at the Met Office.