Xmas getaway chaos as flights & ferries cancelled due to 70mph winds with Met Office warnings sweeping nearly ALL of UK
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FLIGHTS and ferries have been cancelled due to 70mph winds, adding to the Christmas getaway chaos. Millions of travellers are continuing to take to the roads in a bid to be with family and friends for the festivities. The Met Office said warnings for "severe" gales are expected to remain in place until 9pm today - more than 24 hours after being issued.
![[The Met Office is forecasting 70mph gales]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/windy-rainy-christmas-shopping-buchanan-958986028.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Warnings remain in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and in England the warnings cover the North East, North West, South West and West Midlands as well as Yorkshire, Derbyshire and Hampshire. And this morning, more snow is expected in parts of Scotland.
![[A wind warning is in place until Sunday evening]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/NINTCHDBPICT000959145576.jpg?strip=all&w=852)
The Met Office said: "Snow will be focused over hills, where several centimetres may fall, but some sleet, snow and hail may fall to quite low levels for a time, bringing possible icy conditions by Sunday morning.". Yesterday Heathrow Airport announced a "small number of flights" had been cancelled due to "strong winds and airspace restriction" and British Airways said disruption was likely to continue throughout the weekend.
![[Traffic queues on the A102M Blackwall Tunnel approach in Greenwich]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/2024-london-united-kingdom-christmas-958965509.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
A spokesperson for the airline said: "Due to adverse weather this weekend, restrictions have been put on the number of flights able to take off and land at Heathrow and therefore we've had to make a small number of cancellations. "We're offering free flight changes for those customers booked on short-haul services who don't wish to travel this weekend, and we will be offering rebooking and refund options as always to those whose journeys are disrupted as a result of the restrictions.
![[A Jet2 aircraft is blown about as it departs Leeds Bradford airport]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/2024-leeds-uk-jet2-aircraft-958311139.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
