Christmas travel plans are expected to be disrupted this week as Storm Pia arrives across the North East.

Many will be travelling to see and stay with family and friends in the run-up to the big day but the Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for strong winds of up to 80mph across the UK on Thursday (December 21).

It will be in place from 12am until 9pm as the forecasters predict winds will “batter the northern part of the UK.”

An area of low pressure well to the north of the UK will bring winds of 70-80mph in northern Scotland, 65-70mph on high ground, and 45-55mph elsewhere in Northern Ireland, Scotland, North Wales and England north from Birmingham as well as the top half of East Anglia.

The low-pressure system has been named Storm Pia by the Danish authorities, but it was not expected to be severe enough in the UK to warrant being officially named.

Stephen Dixon, a Met Office spokesperson, said: “It is quite a wide wind warning area. Gusts are forecast quite widely to be 45-55mph, possibly 65-70mph to the east of high ground in Scotland.

“The strongest winds are likely to be found in the north and north east of Scotland including the Northern Isles, with 70-80mph in the morning.”

Following a previous warning, the Met Office says the impact level has been updated and the end time has also been brought forward due to “higher confidence” on wind strength.

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North East areas covered by Met Office yellow weather warning for strong winds

The following areas across the North East that are included in the Met Office weather warning for strong winds are:

  • Darlington
  • Durham
  • Gateshead
  • Hartlepool
  • Middlesbrough
  • Newcastle upon Tyne
  • North Tyneside
  • Northumberland
  • Redcar and Cleveland
  • South Tyneside
  • Stockton-on-Tees
  • Sunderland

What should I expect from the yellow weather warning for strong winds?

The Met Office has said residents can expect the following:

  • Some delays to road, rail, air and ferry transport expected
  • Some bus and train services affected, with some journeys taking longer
  • Delays for high-sided vehicles on exposed routes and bridges
  • Some short term loss of power and other services
  • Coastal routes, sea fronts and coastal communities will be affected by spray and/or large waves

You can keep up to date with the weather forecast across the North East on the Met Office website.