The festive travel plans of millions could be thrown into chaos today as Britain is set to be lashed by stormy weather.
The Met Office has issued a severe weather warning from dawn – with the threat of gusts of up to 80mph and flooding.
And families are being advised to take their presents out from under the Christmas tree and store them upstairs in case rising waters seep into their homes.
Motorists are warned to prepare for delays, while train and bus operators started cancelling services last night.
Met Office forecaster Calum MacColl said: ‘There is scope for very heavy rain, potentially some localised flooding, and strong winds in some areas so there is a risk of travel disruption.
‘The worst areas will likely be the South West of England, particularly on higher ground. There will certainly be a legacy of rainfall from previous days, so there will be scope for localised flooding.’
The Environment Agency had 73 flood alerts and six flood warnings in place at 8pm last night, with most in the South East and South West.
Residents in York have already been hit by severe flooding after heavy rain across North Yorkshire caused the River Ouse to burst its banks.
The worst of the weather is expected to pass in time for Christmas Day as the weather turns colder. Forecasters predict it could be a white Christmas in the Scottish Highlands and northerly parts of England and Wales.
Yesterday, 27 rail operators – including Heathrow Express – warned that train services would be slashed and speed restrictions imposed today as a result of the high winds.
The Government-run East Coast firm said it will halve its train services from teatime today, with just four an hour instead of the usual eight in and out of London King’s Cross. It warned that disruption and cancellations will continue well into tomorrow evening.
Virgin Trains will cut services by up to two thirds between London Euston, Manchester and Birmingham. ‘Clearly this is not good news on this of all days,’ said a Virgin spokesman.
The Government’s Highways Agency has issued an amber alert warning to drivers in the East, South East and South West that heavy rain and high winds will cause ‘significant disruption’, including bridge closures and speed restrictions on motorways.
Meanwhile, Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park, Central London, will be closed today due to the high winds.
Many operators removed limits on day tickets yesterday in an effort to stop customers travelling today when 50mph speed restrictions are likely to be in place.
Robin Gisby, for Network Rail, said: ‘Our fundamental concern over the next 48 hours is to get everyone where they want to be for Christmas.’
He added: ‘I want to be very clear that our priority is running as many trains as we can safely, rather than worrying about hitting the timetable bang on.’
Mr Gisby said ‘hundreds of engineers and other staff will be across the network over the next two days, ready to react quickly to any problems’.
He stated that Network Rail would be checking their own weather stations rather than relying o just on outside forecasts.
The worst of the weather is expected to clear by the end of Christmas Eve.
Those looking to make an early getaway have been hit by minor problems, with some England to France ferries delayed due to poor weather.
And train companies looked ahead to today, advising customers to plan their journeys around the heavy winds to avoid disruption.
East Coast is halving services from teatime today - with just four trains an hour instead of the usual eight in and out of London King’s Cross.
It warned disruption would continue for two days well into Christmas Eve.
The news means up to 2,400 passengers an hour will be left stranded.
An East Coast spokesman said: ’As a result of the high winds and heavy rainfall, and the restrictions in place, it is regretted that many East Coast services will be subject to delay and cancellation over the next two days.’
Customers were urged to travel early today or ‘later than planned’ on Christmas Eve.
A spokesman said: 'East Coast sincerely apologises to customers for the inconvenience this will cause, especially as it is very conscious many people will be travelling just before Christmas on Monday and Tuesday.'
Virgin Trains meanwhile is to slash services by up to two thirds between London Euston, Manchester and Birmingham.
The normal service of the trains will reduce to two an hour from 3pm and then just one an hour from 6pm.
All other routes - including to and from Glasgow - will continue at one per hour as long as conditions allow, as part of their contingency to keep all destinations served with at least a skeleton service.
CHRISTMAS WEATHER FORECAST
Monday: A stormy day with cloud and heavy rain sweeping in from the south-west. The rain will spread to most areas by the afternoon and only slowly clear from north-western parts to leave squally showers by the evening. Gales or severe gales
Monday night: Apart from the South-East, rain will clear from much of the country to scattered showers and clear spells. The showers will be frequent and wintry in Scotland. Becoming stormy in Scotland with severe gales
Christmas Eve: Stormy in Scotland. Rain in the South-East will clear to leave sunny spells and wintry showers across the UK, mainly in the West.
Christmas Day: The strong winds will gradually ease and it will be a bright day with sunny spells and showers most frequent in the West along the coast
‘Clearly this is not good news on this of all days,’ said a Virgin spokesman.
He added that all peak travel restrictions are lifted until close of service on Christmas Eve, but stressed this could be many hours earlier than normal as services wind down for the break.
Virgin said ‘delays and disruption’ were expected from mid-afternoon today with fewer services running because of cancellations.’
The spokesman said: ‘Network Rail expects to apply a 50mph speed limit between London Euston and Birmingham New Street and between Rugby and Nuneaton from the afternoon of Monday, meaning we will not be able to run a full service.’
It noted: ‘We will plan to run services on all our routes, but with fewer trains than normal between London and Manchester and London and Birmingham.’
A First Capital Connect spokesman said: ‘Due to the severe weather expected from Monday until Tuesday, Network Rail are going to implement speed restrictions on all our routes and we will be running a reduced timetable on both days.
‘We are advising customers to try and get home early on Monday and wherever possible not to travel on Monday evening and Tuesday morning. Services are likely to remain disrupted until the close of service on Christmas Eve.’
East Midlands Trains have planned alterations to some services to take the weather into account.
A travel notice said: ‘At present, it is not known the exact level of service which will be provided, but it is anticipated that approximately two trains per hour will run between Sheffield/Derby/Nottingham and all other stations to/from London St Pancras International from 12:00.'
The Cumbria Coast railway line that runs between Carlisle and Barrow was closed at Harrington, Workington, due to a landslide.
The Environment Agency said people are urged to stay away from promenades along the south coast today and on Tuesday because of the wet and windy conditions.
TRAIN LINES EXPECTING DISRUPTION TODAY
- Arriva Trains Wales
- c2c
- Chiltern Railways
- CrossCountry
- Cumbria Coast
- East Coast
- East Midlands Trains
- First Capital Connect
- First Great Western
- First Hull Trains
- First TransPennine Express
- Gatwick Express
- Grand Central
- Greater Anglia
- Heathrow Connect
- Heathrow Express
- Island Line
- London Midland
- Merseyrail
- Northern Rail
- ScotRail
- South West Trains
- Southeastern
- Southern
- Stansted Express
- Virgin Trains
The storm is due to hit the south-west of England first and flood alerts are already in place for a number of coastal areas and river valleys in Cornwall, including the Lower, Middle and Upper River Tamar, the Lyhner and the Tavy at Tavistock.
David Jordan, Environment Agency director of operations, said: ‘Unsettled weather is set to continue throughout the Christmas period, with heavy rain and wind affecting many parts of England, so people should check the flood forecast on the Environment Agency website to help plan - and sign up to flood warnings.’
Darron Burness, head of the AA's flood rescue team, said: ‘Three-quarters of cars that get stuck are written off as it only takes a tiny amount of ingested water to wreck the engine.
‘You're also putting yourself at risk as flood water can mask all manner of hazards, for example open manholes, and just one foot or 30 centimetres of moving water can float your car.
‘Moving flood water, particularly, is powerful, relentless and deceptively dangerous, so just stay out.’
Mike Cooper, of Richfords Fire and Flood company in Redruth, Cornwall, urged families in 'at risk' areas to store iPods, tablets and other expensive Christmas presents upstairs.
'You've got new and valuable items in your home. Often you have family down for Christmas, so they bring presents down as well. All of a sudden you have tens of thousands of pounds of presents below the tree.
'I would advise keeping presents out of harm's way, upstairs for example until Christmas day, taking them down just before so that people can enjoy Christmas without the real tragedy of flood waters washing presents around the living room - which is sadly something that we see.'
The Government’s Highways Agency issued an amber alert warning drivers in the East, South East and South West that heavy rain and high winds would cause ‘significant disruption’ including bridge closures and speed restrictions on motorways and major roads.
The following trains companies are also warning of potential disruption to services because of the weather today: Arriva Trains Wales; c2c; Chiltern Railways; CrossCountry; First Great Western; First Hull Trains; First TransPennine Express; Gatwick Express; Grand Central; Greater Anglia; Heathrow Connect; Heathrow Express; Island Line; London Midland; Merseyrail; Northern Rail; ScotRail; South West Trains; Southeastern; Southern and Stansted Express.
Rail bosses say the 'knock-on effect’ will run well into Christmas Eve. Some 20,000 were scheduled to run before services wind down for Christmas.
And with new research by NCP car parks finding that a third - 33 per cent - of all those planning to head overseas this Christmas will leave between December 21 and 23, holidaymakers are being urged to check their travel routes and leave more time for their journeys.
Heathrow Airport has urged customers to check the status of their flights today with their airlines. A spokesman said: ‘We don't currently have any weather-related cancellations for Monday.’
Susan Libeks leads her horse Andante to shelter as a heavy snow storm hits Kincraig, Inverness-shire, Scotland
Heavy snow caused a two mile traffic tailback on the A9 in Dalwhinnie in the Scottish highlands
Train delays: Many networks have made contingency plans, with Virgin Trains slashing services by up to two-thirds. London King's Cross is pictured on Friday
And British Airways said: ’We plan to operate a normal schedule on Monday. Customers are advised to check BA.com for the latest flight information’.
WINTER WONDERLAND TO CLOSE
The Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park, central London, will close today due to the weather.
A spokesman said: ‘Due to the severe weather conditions of high winds and extreme rain predicted for London tomorrow (Monday), PWR Events and The Royal Parks have taken the decision to close Hyde Park Winter Wonderland on Monday for the day.
‘All ticket holders for the Lycamobile Ice Rink, Zippos Circus, Magical Ice Kingdom and the Giant Observation Wheel will be refunded for Monday.
‘We are very sorry for the inconvenience caused, but Hyde Park Winter Wonderland will be open as usual again on Tuesday at 10am.'
Meanwhile engineers have restored power to 1,300 homes which were without electricity for several hours on the Isle of Wight after strong winds damaged overhead lines.
Southern Electric said the blackout affected Newport, Ventnor and Sandown.
Police in Cumbria have urged people to be prepared over the next few days with continued road disruptions and localised flooding.
A spokesman said: 'Yesterday (Saturday), the county's roads were affected by standing water which resulted in some roads being heavily affected or closed as well as some areas being flooded.
'The Met Office has advised that more heavy rain is due to hit Cumbria again on Monday and high winds on Tuesday, therefore police want to take this opportunity advise people to take care and be prepared.'
Meanwhile, bookmaker William Hill reported a further run of money for a White Christmas - particularly across Scotland where it is now 2/1 that at least one snowflake falls in Aberdeen, Glasgow or Edinburgh.
It is looking less likely in London but the price has still halved from 10/1 to 5/1 in the last week.
'It only takes one flake to be reported for the payout and there can be little doubt that the rain is around - the only question is will temperatures fall fast enough,' said William Hill spokesman Rupert Adams.
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