Parts of the United Kingdom have woken up to a blustery and chilly Christmas Day, with the Met Office issuing a series of warnings for strong winds and cold conditions that threaten travel and power supplies.
Widespread Wind Warning Threatens Festive Travel
A significant yellow wind warning is active from 4am until midnight on Christmas Day across the South West of England and most of Wales. The forecaster warns that strong and gusty easterly to north-easterly winds could lead to widespread disruption.
Gusts are predicted to reach 55 to 65 miles per hour on exposed coastal areas and the western sides of hills. This poses a serious risk of transport delays, road closures, and potential power cuts. The Met Office has also cautioned that large waves could be dangerous, advising people to take extra care near cliffs.
The affected regions under the yellow wind alert include:
- South West England: Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Bristol, Plymouth, and the Isles of Scilly.
- Wales: Cardiff, Swansea, Newport, all of Glamorgan, Gwynedd, and Powys.
Cold Weather Health Alert Activated for Vulnerable
Alongside the wind, public health officials have raised concerns about plummeting temperatures. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a cold weather health alert, which came into force at 6pm on December 25th and will remain active until midday on December 27th.
This yellow alert, currently in place for the South West of England, indicates that the cold conditions are likely to increase the use of healthcare services and pose a greater risk to life for vulnerable people, including the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions.
Event Cancellations and a Slim Chance of Snow
The severe conditions have already forced the cancellation of traditional festive events. The annual Coverack Christmas swim in Cornwall has been postponed, while a Boxing Day swim in Devon was called off due to rough seas.
For those hoping for a white Christmas, the forecast offers little comfort. Met Office Chief Meteorologist Steve Willington stated that while most areas will stay dry, there is only a small chance of light showers, possibly a mix of rain and sleet, with snow confined to very high ground.
Elsewhere in the country, Christmas Day is expected to be mostly dry with sunny spells, but a strong wind will make temperatures feeling below freezing despite readings around 5°C.
