Weather warnings have hit much of the UK as millions of people miss their Christmas break.
Wet and windy weather this weekend could cause roads and public transportation to be disrupted by strong storms. The AA has predicted that 22 million drivers will travel on Saturday.
The Met Office has yellow wind warnings in place from 7am on Saturday to 9pm on Sunday for north-west and north-east England, Scotland and parts of Wales and Northern Ireland.
Sunday’s warning also includes London, the south-east, the south-west, the East Midlands, the West, Yorkshire and all of Wales and Northern Ireland.
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 of more than 80mph in coastal areas including the Orkneys.
“Hazardous sea conditions can be expected too, with large waves adding to the hazard, especially in regards to roads. This period of high winds can lead to some transport disruption, including ferry delays or cancellations.
“Several threatening showers will also feature on Saturday and may coalesce into a longer spell of rain for a time in the far north and west.”
The RAC has estimated that 7 million idle journeys will be made on major roads over the weekend, which excludes everyday traffic, and has urged travelers to be “patient” on the roads. RAC spokesperson Rod Dennis said: “We expect things to build throughout the morning course… It’s core at about 11am this morning [Saturday] and between about four and six o’clock this afternoon, that is the core time when we expect traffic to be heavier.
Asked if he was worried about any delay breaking RAC points, Dennis said: “I wouldn’t say worried. I think people are used to this thing well, where they can’t rip all the cones and open all the lanes.
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“Obviously the northern stretch is part of the M25, part of the M4, the M5, a lot of roads people use for the quality journeys that lead up to Christmas where they just can’t open all the lanes. resurrect, resurrect. So there are those who remember.
“What we’re saying to people is be patient. These are the routes for us at this time of year. You don’t just wait for the minute your satnav says it wants to be there. Give yourself some time to make it easy and get there safely.”