The Met Office has plunged large parts of southern England and Wales under a red weather warning signalling a ‘danger to life’ as Storm Eunice bears down on the UK.
The second major storm event in a week to hit the country, Eunice has led to Brits being warned to stay at home where possible.
The red warning was initially handed out for Wales and the South West of England, but has since been extended to cover parts of the South East including London.
Winds in some areas are thought to reach as high as 100mph, with heavy snow expected in others.
The alert for London was issued shortly before 4am, just days after Storm Dudley ripped across the UK causing damage and disruption.
Many schools are expected to close and severe travel disruption is anticipated - read on for the latest on how cars, planes and trains are likely to be affected.
What trains are cancelled today?
People planning to travel by train today have been urged by service providers to reconsider their plans.
Most trains are expected to be running at a maximum speed of just 50mph today, as drivers aim to minimise the risk of falling trees and debris.
The restrictions have been imposed by National Rail in most cases, in a nationwide sweep.
In a statement Network Rail, the operator of Britain’s rail network, said: “The severe weather will affect journeys across the country.
“Rail companies are asking you to plan your travel for a different day and to check before you travel. You can also claim compensation if the disruption has affected you.”
Services in Wales are suspended for the whole day.
Disruption is likely to continue into the weekend, with over 1,000 miles of track needing to be checked and potentially cleared before normal services can resume.
Carriage operators including East Midlands Railway, Southeastern and Avanti West Coast have all warned of disruption and have advised people not to travel.
i reports that people who reuse their Friday tickets on Saturday will be able to do so without issue and people who experience disruption will be entitled to compensation.
The chief executive of Rail Delivery Group, Jacqueline Starr, said: “Rail companies are working hard to keep people moving safely but journeys will be disrupted, especially on Friday. We’re asking people to plan their travel for a different day if possible or to check and re-check before they travel.”
For the latest updates, check in regularly with National Rail and your service provider - the website of which is available through this link.
Can I drive in a red weather warning?
No laws forbid you from driving under a red weather warning, however drivers are advised to take precautions and ask themselves if the journey is absolutely necessary.
National Highways’ head of road safety, Jeremy Phillips, said: “For those who do travel, we’re encouraging drivers to check the latest weather and travel conditions before setting off on journeys and consider if their journey is necessary and can be delayed until conditions improve.
“If you do intend to travel, then plan your trip and take extra care, allowing more time for your journey.
“In high winds, there’s a particular risk to lorries, caravans and motorbikes so we’d advise drivers of these vehicles to slow down.
“Drivers of other vehicles should be aware of sudden gusts of wind which can affect handling and braking, and give high-sided vehicles, caravans and motorbikes plenty of space. In the event of persistent high winds we may need to close bridges to traffic for a period, so please be alert for warnings of closures and follow signed diversion routes.”
Comprehensive car insurance should in many cases help cover people driving responsibly who get into an accident during a red weather warning.
Are flights cancelled by Storm Eunice?
Passengers intending to fly should check their flight details regularly and anticipate severe delays and disruptions.
Heathrow Airport said: “We are working closely with our airline and air traffic control partners to get passengers safely away on their journeys as quickly as possible.
“High winds and poor weather can cause last-minute delays, but we will do everything in our power to minimise any disruption.
“We recommend allowing extra time to get to the airport as some public transport services may be disrupted due to the weather. Please continue to check with your airline for the latest flight information.”
In a similar vein, Gatwick Airport said: “We advise passengers to allow plenty of time to get to the airport and to check the status of their flight with their airline.”
All flights from London City airport have been cancelled.
For the latest information on airport closures, follow the links to airport websites below.
