Travel problems expected amid wind and ice weather warnings

Parts of the UK could face travel problems amid wintry weather and more strong winds.

A yellow weather warning for wind is in place for parts of central and southern England, including London, into Thursday evening.

Meanwhile, the Met Office has announced a yellow ice weather warning for northern Scotland from 10pm on Thursday until 9am on Friday.

Forecasters said the wind will mean some likely delays to road, rail and air travel, as well as longer journeys and delays for lorries on exposed routes and bridges.

Ice is also expected to mean longer travel times for drivers and rail passengers.

Gusts as high as 67mph have been recorded so far, with winds expected to remain high in central and southern parts of the country until around 6pm on Thursday.

Wales has borne the brunt, with the highest speed recorded in Capel Curig and 63mph in Aberdaron.

Speeds also hit 58mph in Andrewsfield, Essex, and 56mph in both Weybourne, Norfolk, and Little Rissington, Gloucestershire.

Overnight, temperatures could plummet as low as minus 4C in the countryside while towns and cities may see the mercury get close to 0C.

The drop, coupled with showers and some snow in higher areas, is likely to bring icy stretches to northern Scotland as well as Northern Ireland, northern England, and parts of Wales.

Met Office meteorologist Greg Dewhurst said: “The reason for that is low pressure being in charge of the UK’s weather today, so we’ve seen those stronger winds, and as that low pressure moves away the winds are turning around from a westerly to a northerly direction.

“So winds are going to become lighter as we go through the evening and overnight but will turn round to a northerly direction and we will see temperatures fall as a result.”