UK is bracing up for the worst winter storm, which is about to bring gales and blizzard like conditions.
Ahead of the Storm Doris, which is expected to bring damaging winds and heavy rain across the UK, more than 10,000 airline passengers have had their travel plans wrecked.
Dozens of flights for Thursday have been cancelled to and from Heathrow airport. The airport said that, strong winds and poor weather forecast for February 23, related to Storm Doris, are expected to cause some flight delays and cancellations across the UK.
Amber warnings predict strong winds and heavy rain in parts of North Wales, the Midlands, and east and north-west England, while winds as fast as 60mph are also expected to batter southern England.
Meanwhile, up to 15cm of snow could fall across parts of Scotland and north-east England in treacherous, blizzard-like conditions.
High winds are expected to reduce the usual arrivals rate at the UK’s busiest airport. With little resilience in the system, scores of short-haul flights have been cancelled to provide “firebreaks” and avoid widespread disruption on the day.
British Airways has grounded more than 40 flights to and from Heathrow. Domestic services to Manchester, Leeds/Bradford, Newcastle, Glasgow and Belfast have been cancelled, with passengers rebooked on other flights. Two cancellations have been made to both Aberdeen and Amsterdam, together with the return legs.
Rail travellers within the UK have been warned of disruption caused by speed restrictions imposed because of worries about debris blown onto tracks.
Virgin Trains East Coast has advised passengers booked to travel on their services on Thursday to travel either tonight or before 2pm on Friday.
In Scotland, ferry passengers to and from the Isle of Arran were warned of “a heightened possibility of disruption due to forecast high winds”.
