Drivers have been warned to brace themselves for traffic mayhem as 22.7million motorists get away for Christmas as the UK is battered with 80mph winds.
Roads and public transport could be disrupted by the strong gusts as the Met Office forecast a wet and windy weekend for many.
The AA predicted that yesterday 23.7million drivers would set off, making it the busiest day on the roads since the group began in 2010.
It also projected that today would see 22.7million motorists while tomorrow 21.3million people would take to the roads in what experts are warning to be the busiest weekend of travel this year.
Long delays at the Port of Dover saw holidaymakers in long queues as they tried to board the ferry for the Christmas getaway.
Meanwhile, passengers waited at St Pancras International station to get the Eurotunnel while others waited to board trains at King’s Cross Station for the festive season.
Yellow warnings for wind for parts of the UK were issued with the RAC saying travelling could be a ‘pretty exhausting experience’ due to the conditions.
RAC spokesman Rod Dennis said: ‘With the weekend bringing a mix of strong winds along with heavy, and in some places wintry, showers, it’s going to make many of the estimated seven million getaway trips by car a pretty exhausting experience.’
Speaking on BBC Radio 4 he also warned drivers to ‘be patient’ with the traffic.
Queues on the A102 Blackwall Tunnel approach in Greenwich South East London as the Christmas getaway begins
Passengers at London Euston station awaiting to leave London this morning
Hundreds of passengers at London King’s cross station as the last minute dash in the festive season continues
Disruption to road, rail, air and ferry services are ‘all likely to be affected by the conditions’ with possible longer journey times, cancellations and restrictions on bridges, Douglas Cairns, from Transport Scotland. Picture: Queues at Manchester airport
Meanwhile, AA President believes Monday morning will be the busiest period of the Christmas getaway on the UK’s roads as many will decide to travel after this weekend.
On Saturday, a yellow warning for wind came into place from 7am until 9pm on Sunday covering the North West, the North East, Scotland and parts 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.
Sunday will see the South West also under the yellow warning.
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 in 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.’
Showers could turn to several centimetres of snow on the hills in the north west of Scotland from Saturday evening into Sunday.
Long delays at the Port of Dover saw holidaymakers in long queues as they tried to board the ferry for the Christmas getaway
Passengers at St St Pancras International station as the Christmas getaway continues
Holidaymaker queueing trying to get their ferries this morning as they face long delays at the port to get away for there Christmas holidays
Passengers at St Pancras International station as millions are expected to travel this weekend for the festive holiday
Passengers at London King’s Cross station as the Christmas getaway continues
The AA predicted that yesterday 23.7million drivers would set off yesterday, making the busiest day on the roads since the groups began in 2010. Picture: Heavy traffic on the southbound carriageway of the M5
On Saturday, a yellow warning for wind came into place from 7am until 9pm on Sunday covering the North West, the North East, Scotland and parts of Wales and Northern Ireland with Sunday seeing the South West join the list
‘Dangerous coastal conditions can be expected too, with large waves an additional hazard, especially in respect to causeways’ the Met Office warned. Strong winds and rain in West Bay, Dorset
Showers could turn to several centimetres of snow on the hills in the north west of Scotland from Saturday evening into Sunday, the Met Office warned. Picture: People in the snow in Edinburgh, Scotland
The RAC estimated seven million leisure trips will be made on major roads during the weekend, which excludes everyday traffic. Picture: Traffic on M5 at Exeter
The strong winds will be more widespread on Sunday, meteorologists said.
Experts are warning to be the busiest weekend of travel this year. Picture: Christmas getaway on the A282 Dartford crossing approach in Kent
Some sleet, snow and hail may fall at lower levels and produce icy conditions by Sunday morning.
The strong winds will be more widespread on Sunday, meteorologists said.
It predicted that congestion hotspots will be on both directions of the M1 to Gatwick via the M25 and the M23; Liverpool to Chester on the M53; Oxford to the south coast via the A34 and the M3; the M25 to the south coast along the M3; and at the Taunton to Almondsbury Interchange in Bristol heading down the M5.
The RAC estimated seven million leisure trips will be made on major roads during the weekend, which excludes everyday traffic.
It also urged drivers to be patient as traffic is expected to build up this morning.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, RAC senior policy officer Rod Dennis said: ‘Anyone travelling now, I’m looking at the maps, you’ve got a lot of the road largely to yourself.
‘But we are expecting things to build up through the course of the morning … If you’re packing up now, this is a good time to travel.
‘There’s a core of about 11 o’clock this morning and between about four and six this afternoon, that’s the core time where we expect the traffic to be heavier.’
RAC senior policy officer Rod Dennis advised drivers to be patient with the traffic
Mr Dennis added: ”These are journeys that matter to us this time of year. Just don’t expect to get there the minute your sat-nav says it will’
When asked if there are particular crunch points of delays the RAC is worried about, Mr Dennis said: ‘Yeah, I wouldn’t say worried about.
‘I think this is the thing people are going to be well used to, where they’re not able to tear all the cones out and open all the lanes.
‘Obviously there’s stretches of the northern part of the M25, part of the M4, the M5, a lot of routes people use for the sorts of journeys they’re going to make ahead of Christmas where they just can’t open all the lanes back up again. So, there’s those to bear in mind.
‘What we’re saying to people is just be patient.
‘These are journeys that matter to us this time of year. Just don’t expect to get there the minute your sat-nav says it will. Allow yourself a bit of time to make it easy and get there safely.’
Douglas Cairns, from Transport Scotland, said road, rail, air and ferry services are ‘all likely to be affected by the conditions’ with possible longer journey times, cancellations and restrictions on bridges.
The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company said its 7.45pm Saturday ferry service from Douglas, Isle of Man to Heysham, Lancashire was cancelled due to the ‘forecast adverse weather’, along with its 2.15am Sunday service from Heysham to Douglas.
CalMac, which operates ferries to the west coast of Scotland, said possible disruptions and cancellations could affect each of its planned services for Saturday.
P&O Ferries have confirmed journeys between Larne and Cairnryan have been cancelled for at least 24 hours.
A spokesperson said: ‘Due to adverse weather conditions, all P&O Ferries sailings between Larne and Cairnryan have been cancelled from 2000 tonight (21st December) until at least 2000 tomorrow night (22nd December).
‘We ask our customers please not to travel to either of the ports if their sailing has been cancelled, to avoid causing traffic congestion.
‘All remaining sailings for today are fully booked, customers can manage their booking online or call us on 01304 884488 to amend or cancel their booking. We apologise for the inconvenience.’
Winds will ease by Monday, but cloud and rain are expected to move in with increased temperatures.
As a result, ‘crisp blue skies and snow on the ground’ are ‘decidedly unlikely’ over Christmas, the Met Office said.
Met Office deputy chief meteorologist Rebekah Hicks said: ‘We’ll start to see high pressure to the south of the UK bringing in more settled and much milder conditions from Christmas Eve.
‘Christmas Day itself will be cloudy for most, although some eastern areas of the UK, most likely eastern Scotland, may see some clear or sunny spells.
‘We could see some drizzle across hills in the west, and some more persistent rain is possible for north-west Scotland, but overall it will be a fairly cloudy, nondescript day.
‘Conditions on Christmas Day and Boxing Day look to be exceptionally mild for the time of year, especially in the north.
‘East and north-east Scotland, for example, could see overnight temperatures that are 10C above average on Christmas morning.’
Hundreds of airline passengers travelling for Christmas have been hit by the cancellation of 90 flights from Heathrow while 200 were delayed amid the weather warnings.
A Heathrow spokesperson said ‘a small number of flights’ have been cancelled on Saturday due to ‘strong winds and airspace restrictions’.
They added: ‘This will ensure the vast majority of passengers can still safely travel as planned.
Currently, 33 flights from the west London airport have been axed today, and another 58 have already been cancelled for tomorrow.
Passengers start arriving at the check in desks as Gatwick airport is expected to get busy for the getaway
Queues at Gatwick airport as passengers make their last minute dash for Christmas
Air passengers queue for check-in at Manchester Airport’s Terminal 1 on Friday
Passengers at London Heathrow Airport on Friday morning as they arrive for Christmas
London Heathrow, pictured, expects this will be its busiest December on record for passenger numbers, exceeding the previous high of 6.7million in 2023
The airport expects this will be its busiest December on record for passenger numbers, exceeding the previous high of 6.7million in 2023.
Around half a million departing passengers are expected at both Manchester and London Stansted airports over the Christmas and new year period, with 400,000 at London Luton, 200,000 at Birmingham and 175,000 at Bristol.
Abta chief executive Mark Tanzer said: ‘Christmas and New Year are one of the busiest times of year for overseas travel with millions heading off to spend quality time with family and friends.
‘Holidaymakers are either looking for some winter sun or guaranteed snow, as well as the opportunity for everyone to relax and enjoy themselves with someone else doing the hard work of cooking and clearing up after the festivities.
‘We’re encouraging people to plan ahead when making their journeys. Public transport and the roads will be very busy, so always leave plenty of time to arrive at your departure port to avoid any difficulties.’
EasyJet said it is expecting its busiest-ever Christmas and new year period, with up to 4.1 million passengers boarding departures from airports across Europe.