UK weather – live updates: Severe winds forecast for New Year’s Eve; more than 200 flood warnings and alerts in place

Key points

Yellow weather warning issued as Britons get ready to ring in the new yearMore than 200 flood warning and alerts issued
Eurostar to run all services today after day of disruptionCheck the latest weather forecast for where you liveLive reporting by Samuel Osborne (now) and Jess Sharp (earlier)

11:44:01 Have you been affected by today’s weather? We want to hear from you

Snowed in? Stuck in St Pancras? Or has the weather scuppered your New Year’s Eve plans? 

If you’ve been affected by today’s weather, we’d like to hear from you. 

Send us your stories via WhatsApp or using Your Report on the Sky News app.

By sending us your video footage, photographs or audio you agree we can publish, broadcast and edit the material. 

09:26:12 Disruption to Scotland rail services after flooding

Flooding has disrupted train services across Scotland, with several lines closed.

Network Rail Scotland said the line between Dyce and Inverurie remains closed “as the water level remains high”.

ScotRail said replacement buses were operating to keep customers moving.

National Rail said disruption between Aberdeen and Inverness was expected to last until the end of the day.

09:00:01 ‘Only travel if necessary’, Eurostar cautions after disruption

Eurostar has cautioned passengers to “only travel if necessary” after “unprecedented” flooding disrupted thousands of people’s travel plans yesterday.

On its train timetable the operator said “our trains and stations are very busy” after the flooding and added: “Please only travel if necessary.”

It advised travellers to change their bookings for a different time or date, or suggested they cancel their booking in return for an e-voucher or refund.

In a statement Eurostar said: “Flooding in the Thames tunnels has been brought under control by Network Rail High Speed, meaning at least one tunnel can now be used and a full service can operate.

“There will be some speed restrictions in place in the morning which may lead to delays and stations are expected to be very busy.”

The first Eurostar train left London St Pancras International shortly after 8am this morning.

Upcoming Eurostar services are running as scheduled, according to the St Pancras website…

08:37:13 Pictures show flooding in York

Floodwater overwhelmed the streets of York after the River Ouse burst its banks on Saturday.

These pictures show water lapping outside shops and pubs in the historic city in Yorkshire.

The Environment Agency has issued six flood warnings for the River Ouse.

07:56:03 More than 200 flood warnings and alerts issued

More than 200 flood warnings and alerts have been issued by the Environment Agency today as parts of the UK prepare to be hit by more rain. 

A total of 42 flood warnings – meaning flooding is expected – have been put out by the authority. 

Some of the areas include parts of the River Ouse, which burst its banks yesterday, Keswick Campsite and sections of the River Severn. 

There are a further 161 flood alerts in place. These are issued when the agency seems flooding is possible. 

You can check if your area is covered here, or by looking at the map below. 

Flood warnings are highlighted in red, while alerts are orange. 

07:39:09 Forecasters warn of ‘unsettled’ weather conditions as people prepare to celebrate new year

Those heading out to celebrate the new year later might want to take an umbrella – as forecasters warn of “unsettled” weather conditions.

After a windy night across much of southern England and parts of Wales, temperatures are expected to be nearer to normal today, with the morning starting bright in some places.

But, the Met Office has said showers are likely, with overnight rain still clearing in eastern areas. 

In London and the south, winds are expected to strengthen with the strongest winds along the coasts.

A yellow weather warning for wind will be in place for London, the South East, the South West and Wales from 10am until just before midnight. 

In Scotland, Edinburgh will be cloudy but is expected to remain dry this evening for Hogmanay celebrations.

Borders and central belt regions will experience primarily dry conditions, with brighter morning spells. Winds are expected to ease, becoming light and variable.

However, temperatures around southern Scotland will become increasingly unsettled, with showers merging into more extended periods of rain and hill snow at times.

07:18:24 Eurostar to run all services today – but more delays expected

The New Year’s Eve travel plans of thousands of people may be back on course after Eurostar announced all of its services will resume today.

The operator said “unprecedented” flooding inside a tunnel under the River Thames had been brought under control, but warned customers to expect further delays and busy stations.

At a thronging London St Pancras International yesterday, emotional travellers sat on suitcases, as people could be heard frantically trying to find alternative routes to their destinations.

In a statement, Eurostar said: “Flooding in the Thames tunnels has been brought under control by Network Rail High Speed meaning at least one tunnel can now be used and a full service can operate.

“There will be some speed restrictions in place in the morning which may lead to delays and stations are expected to be very busy.” 

A quick look on the St Pancras website shows this morning’s Eurostar services are running as scheduled…

07:11:37 Good morning

Welcome back to our live coverage as parts of the UK wake up from a night of heavy wind and rain. 

Revellers keen to ring in the New Year look to be facing erratic weather conditions across the country today. 

A yellow warning for wind will be in place for London, the South East, the South West and Wales from 10am until just before midnight. 

Eurostar services are expected to get going again this morning after flooding in a tunnel under the River Thames yesterday caused all services to be cancelled, throwing New Year’s Eve plans for hundreds of passengers into chaos.

The company warned its stations were likely to be very busy and speed restrictions would be in place as a result of the incident.

We’ll start bringing you live updates shortly, so stay with us.

23:20:02 Pictures of the day as UK sees snow, wind and rain

The UK has been hit by strong, gusty winds and heavy rain in the wake of Storm Gerrit, with Scotland even seeing blankets of snow today.

More unsettled weather and travel disruption is expected during the last weekend of the year.

Here are five of the best photos of the day:

23:00:01 Train crew shortages to disrupt some rail services tomorrow

Aside from the disruption caused by the flooding of high-speed tunnels underneath the River Thames, rail services on at least two other networks are set to be separately affected by staff shortages tomorrow.

Northern Rail has warned of “significant” disruption on New Year’s Eve due to train crew unavailability.

Services will finish earlier than usual, at around 4pm, and are expected to be “extremely busy”.

The company has issued a “do not travel” warning for these four routes: 

Morecambe/Heysham to LancasterPreston to ColneManchester Victoria to Stalybridge Clitheroe to Bolton 

LNER has also cancelled and altered some of its services from London King’s Cross station for tomorrow due to a shortage of train crew.

22:27:01 Southeastern to run reduced service tomorrow

Further to our previous post, Southeastern Railway has given an update on its schedule for tomorrow.

The company said it would run a reduced service between Ashford, Kent, and St Pancras International in London.

Southeastern said it was still working on a plan for its high speed services tomorrow, which will be reduced due to the flooding in tunnels on the high-speed line earlier today.

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