UK weather LIVE: Latest storm could be ‘more disruptive’ as 80mph gusts to hit

TransPennine Express, the intercity train operator in northern England and southern Scotland, has issued a Do Not Travel notice.

The state-run company is “strongly urging customers travelling to/from Edinburgh/Glasgow not to travel after 3pm on Tuesday 23 January”. Services are expected to be restored at 12 noon on Wednesday.

High winds and heavy rainfall are set to cause major disruption to services in and out of Scotland.

The company says: “Services across the rest of the network are expected to be impacted, we strongly recommend you check before you travel and plan ahead.”

Martin Thomson, national operations manager for resilience at Transport Scotland, said: “Across the wider network, we can expect to see more delays and cancellations with ferries, flights and rail from Tuesday into Wednesday morning.”

Liam Sumpter, route director for Network Rail Scotland, said Storm Isha caused “a huge amount of damage” and teams have been working “around the clock” to remove fallen tress and debris, and repair damaged infrastructure.

He went on: “While we are continuing to reopen routes when it is safe to do so, we unfortunately expect even more disruption in the coming days as Storm Jocelyn arrives in Scotland.

“If you’re planning on travelling by train this week, please check the status of your journey with your train operator.

“We’re also urging lineside neighbours to make sure that garden furniture and equipment is secure as in high winds, this can blow on to the railway, causing damage and disruption.”

Avanti West Coast urged passengers not to travel north of Preston after 3.30pm on Tuesday.

The last scheduled service from London to Glasgow leaves the capital at 3.30pm – calling at Preston at 5.41pm – and is “expected to be extremely busy”, the operator warned.

Services to and from Scotland are expected to be suspended until at least noon on Wednesday.

The charity that maintains more than 2,000 miles of canals and navigable rivers in the UK says it is counting the cost of the recent barrage of storms on the nation’s waterways.

The Canal & River Trust said it is braced for a mammoth clear-up operation as floodwater levels begin to recede.

At Naburn Locks, near York, the entire complex has been submerged for weeks.

A Canal & River Trust spokeswoman said: “Extreme weather has battered the country, including the nation’s 250-year-old canal network.

“As water levels recede, and another clear-up under way, the Canal & River Trust is counting the cost to our nation’s unique waterways heritage.

“Today, Naburn Locks is facing one of its greatest challenges in its 267-year history as sustained heavy rainfall has left the site under water for weeks.

“As water levels recede, the Canal & River Trust waterways charity has been out checking water levels and signs of damage.”

As Storm Jocelyn blows across the country, here is a rundown of the top six strongest gale-force winds and where they are. Hold on to your hats!

In top spot is Lake Vyrnwy, Powys, western Wales where winds of 71mph are batttering the area.

Over in the north east, 59mph winds are hitting the small hamlet of Altnaharra in Sutherland.

Some 10,900 people remain without power across the UK, according to providers.

Approximately 4,900 are off supply in England and the south of Scotland, while 6,000 people have been disconnected in Northern Ireland, says the Energy Networks Association and Northern Ireland Electricity Networks.

Tens of thousands of homes suffered power cuts during Storm Isha, and the Met Office has warned Storm Jocelyn is likely to cause more of them.

Jet2 is warning passengers that links to and from airports could be disrupted.

In a statement posted on its website, the Leeds-based airline said: “Due to the forecasted high winds and rain forecast throughout the day, customers travelling with us from the UK are advised to allow extra time to get to the airport and check with any transport suppliers you are relying on to get you to the airport for any disruption they may be facing. Currently we plan to operate all Jet2.com flights on time.

“If you are travelling back to the UK on Tuesday 23 January 2024 and you are disrupted, our friendly teams at the airport and crew on your flight will provide you with updates on the latest information for your destination.

“Whilst we hope the weather conditions anticipated will not cause to much disruption to our flying programme we apologise in advance for any disruption that is beyond our control.”

Train companies have warned against travel between England and Scotland on Tuesday afternoon as Storm Jocelyn is set to lash the UK with heavy downpours and winds of up to 80mph.

The Met Office has issued amber and yellow weather warnings for winds covering most of the UK, together with yellow warnings for rain covering parts of western and southern Scotland, and north-west England.

It comes just a day after Storm Isha left thousands of people without power and caused havoc on roads, trains and planes as the UK was blasted by intense rain and winds of up to 107mph.

Ferry passengers in western Scotland are facing widespread delays and cancellations as Storm Jocelyn approaches – with technical problems adding to the disarray.

All ferries linking Oban with Barra, Coll and Tiree are cancelled on Tuesday. The last ferry between Uig on Skye and Tarbert on Harris is due to arrive at 10.05am.

On the key link from Stornoway on Lewis to Ullapool on the mainland, the afternoon departure from Stornoway is cancelled.

“Strong winds and sea swell” are blamed for the cancellation all day of the ferry between Mallaig and Armadale on the isle of Skye. The bridge to the island from Kyle of Lochalsh remains open.

Travellers on the link between Ardrossan in Ayrshire and the isle of Arran face major problems. All sailings on Tuesday are cancelled due to a “technical issue combined with strong winds forecast on Tuesday afternoon”.

Passengers are warned: “Due to the ongoing technical issue combined with weather forecast, this service will be liable to disruption or cancellation at short notice.”