The Met Office has released its official Christmas weather forecast, predicting significantly milder conditions compared to the recent disruptive weather that caused chaos over the weekend. Meteorologists are anticipating a “grey Christmas” with some sunny intervals and remarkably mild temperatures. The adverse weather conditions, combined with heavy road congestion during the Christmas getaway period, led to widespread disruptions. To tackle this, the Met Office issued yellow wind warnings until 9 pm on Sunday, covering various regions across the UK such as Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and parts of England.
On Sunday, an airport faced a challenging situation as a plane’s nose wheel collapsed during landing in Belfast. Thankfully, there were no passengers on board, and emergency protocols were activated, resulting in the temporary closure of the runway. Heathrow Airport also experienced disruptions with around 100 cancelled flights due to strong winds and airspace restrictions. The airport assured passengers that the majority of flights were operating normally but advised them to stay updated through their airlines.
The travel chaos extended to ferry services, particularly between Dublin and Holyhead, as Holyhead port remained closed following damages from Storm Darragh. This closure forced alternative routes to be arranged, impacting thousands of travellers during the festive season. Despite the challenges, alternative sailings were arranged to facilitate travel to Ireland amidst adverse weather conditions that saw wind speeds of up to 82mph in some areas.
Predictions by the AA estimated a high volume of drivers on the roads, with millions of leisure trips expected over the weekend. Looking ahead to Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, the UK is expected to experience an unusually warm festive period. Meteorologist Dan Stroud from the Met Office forecasted temperatures well above average, reaching around 12-13°C on Christmas Eve and 11-12°C on Christmas Day. In Scotland, overnight temperatures for the same period are expected to be notably mild.
The RAC anticipated a significant number of leisure trips on major roads, providing insight into the travel trends during the festive period. Despite the disruptions and challenges faced over the weekend, conditions are predicted to improve in the upcoming week. As the UK braces for a “grey Christmas” with mild temperatures, the focus shifts towards accommodating the needs of travellers and ensuring a smoother travel experience during this festive season.
In conclusion, the Met Office’s weather forecast offers a glimmer of hope for a more settled Christmas period after a tumultuous weekend marked by adverse weather conditions and travel disruptions. With a shift towards milder temperatures and calmer weather predicted, travellers and residents can look forward to a more stable and enjoyable festive season ahead.