Storm likely to disrupt UK travel
Storm Caroline is expected to bring difficult travel conditions to parts of the UK today (Thursday).
A Met Office Amber ‘be prepared’ National Severe Weather Warning for wind has been issued for the far north of Scotland, with gusts expected to reach 90mph in the most exposed areas.
The strong winds might affect Scotland’s road, rail, air and ferry services, warned the Met Office.
It said longer journey times and cancellation of services are possible.
Some coastal routes, sea fronts and coastal communities will be affected by spray and/or large waves.
Caledonian MacBrayne and Northlink Ferries are warning of cancellations and disruption to routes on Scotland’s west and north coasts.
A Yellow warning has also been issued for wind covering parts of central and southern Scotland and the extreme north of Northern Ireland, with wind gusts of 60-70mph expected quite widely across the warning area and up to 80mph in the more exposed north-facing coastal locations.
The warning covers the Western Isles, the Northern Isles and the majority of mainland Scotland from Oban to Aberdeen.
Met Office chief meteorologist Steve Ramsdale said: “The strongest winds will reach the northwest of Scotland early on Thursday, extending to northeast Scotland and the Northern Isles in the afternoon. During Thursday winds will start to ease in the west with the strongest of the winds becoming confined to the Northern Isles in the evening.”
The Met Office has also issued a Yellow National Severe Weather Warning for snow and ice for Friday. The warning covers much of Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and parts of northern and western England. Up to five centimetres of snow is likely with areas affected including northern Scotland, Northern Ireland, north Wales and possibly the northwest Midlands, it said.
Scotland’s transport minister Humza Yousaf said: “With stormy weather expected across the north of Scotland we would urge people to check with their operators before they travel, especially if they are planning a ferry journey. There may also be bridge restrictions, particularly for high-sided vehicles, and we would urge road users to check the latest information on wind thresholds on the Traffic Scotland website to see where this is likely.”
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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