Weather warnings for strong winds have come into force in parts of the UK as millions of people take to the roads ahead of Christmas.
The Met Office says gusts could reach 80mph in the far north of Scotland, with winds of 50-60mph further south.
Disruption is expected on what motoring experts are predicting will the busiest weekend of travel this year.
A yellow warning came into force at 07:00 GMT on Saturday and will last until 21:00 GMT on Sunday for Scotland, North West and North East England, and parts of Wales and Northern Ireland.
The area covered by the warning widens on Sunday to take in South West England, Derbyshire, Hampshire, parts of the West Midlands and Yorkshire, and all of Wales and Northern Ireland.
Westerly winds are forecast to pick up over Saturday.
“Dangerous coastal conditions can be expected too, with large waves an additional hazard,” the Met Office added.
Transport Scotland, said road, rail, air and ferry services are “all likely to be affected by the conditions” with cancellations and restrictions on bridges possible.
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.”
Nearly 14 million drivers are expected to take to the roads during the weekend – a new record, according to the RAC.
The RAC is predicting that congestion hotspots on the roads could include:
- 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
- The Taunton to Almondsbury Interchange in Bristol heading down the M5.
The winds are expected to ease by Monday, but it’s “absolutely not” looking like a white Christmas, according to Met Office meteorologist Alex Deakin.
Instead, the UK will see “a grey Christmas” which “is going to be very, very mild”, he said, with cloud and rain set to move in.
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