Blustery winds have wrecked Christmas swim plans as the UK faces winter storm warnings. Yellow alerts have been issued, spelling trouble for vulnerable residents across the South West and Wales.
The South West is bracing for a difficult Christmas as a cold health alert comes into effect from 6pm on Christmas Day until midday on Boxing Day. The UK Health Security Agency warns that vulnerable people face a “greater risk to life” during this period, and hospitals could see a surge in patients.
The Met Office has issued yellow wind warnings across the South West and Wales, forecasting winds roaring at 45-55mph, with coastal gusts reaching up to 65mph. The Met Office said, “Given the more unusual wind direction, this may lead to some disruption to transport and power supplies. Large waves will be an additional hazard on some coasts.” Expect chaos on roads and possible power blackouts.
Christmas swim events have been cancelled due to violent seas and wild waves. Cornwall’s Coverack Christmas swim has been postponed to New Year’s Day for safety reasons. Similarly, Devon’s Start Bay Inn cancelled their traditional Boxing Day dip because of dangerous conditions.
Elsewhere in the UK, temperatures hover around 7°C in the North East and 6°C in the South East—chilly but manageable for most.
For those hoping for a white Christmas, the Met Office has dampened expectations, stating that a white Christmas is “highly unlikely.” Instead, the nation should expect dry but windy weather dominating the festive weekend.
The RAC has urged drivers to get “road ready” to avoid breakdowns during the freezing spells. They advise motorists to check tyres, oil, coolant, and lights now to prevent issues on the road.
Travel chaos hit hard on Christmas Eve, with 4.2 million cars on the move. A fatal crash on the M2 near Medway resulted in the tragic death of a 20-year-old woman and caused road closures. Additionally, the M27 remains closed from Whiteley to Fareham until early January, causing delays between Southampton and Portsmouth.
Originally published by UKNIP.
