UK weather: Gale force winds to cause major travel disruption

The tail end of Hurricane Gonzalo will hit the UK on Monday night, when gale force winds of up to 60mph and heavy rain will sweep across Britain.

The Met Office has issued a yellow severe weather warning for most of the UK on Tuesday and says: "The remains of Hurricane Gonzalo will move into the Atlantic in the next few days and then run eastwards across the UK on Monday night. Whilst this will no longer be hurricane strength it still looks likely to bring a period of very strong winds and heavy rain to the UK with the strongest winds on Tuesday as the low pressure clears eastwards.

"There is the potential for some significant disruption to travel from the very strong winds on Tuesday, particularly as the strongest winds will coincide with rush hour in places. Difficult driving conditions are also expected thanks to large amounts of spray on the roads and potential for wind blown debris."

It adds: "Whilst strong winds and heavy rain are likely on Monday night the strongest winds are expected as the rain clears eastwards and winds veer northwesterly through Tuesday morning."

Speaking to the Independent, Simon Partridge at the Met Office said: "It will be a very ex-hurricane by the time it reaches us.

"What is left of it will be strong winds – some gale force winds at times – and it is currently expected to arrive late Monday night/early Tuesday morning and is tied into the reason why we've issued a yellow warning for wind.

"Wednesday will feel cooler [than the recent warm weather in the UK], but it will be about average for this time of year."

Gonzalo struck the island of Bermuda, causing power cuts to 31,200 homes, flooding and damage to buildings.

According to the BBC, it was a category 4 storm as it approached the island, before weakening and downgrading to a category 2 storm on Friday.

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