Festive travel: will the weather disrupt the Christmas getaway?

Festive travel: will the weather disrupt the Christmas getaway?

This Christmas travel season is anticipated to witness record-breaking congestion for drivers across the UK, despite improving weather conditions. Alongside the risk of spray and fog on some routes, motorists are urged to prepare thoroughly for their journeys. The RAC predicts an extraordinary 37.5 million leisure trips in the week leading up to Christmas Day 2025, marking the most hectic pre-Christmas travel period since the data tracking began in 2013, and surpassing last year’s figures by about eight million trips.

For those planning to travel by public transportation during the festive season, it is essential to be aware of significant timetable alterations and potential service disruptions. Passengers are encouraged to verify their travel details with National Rail or their respective local providers, as many services will be heavily adjusted or unavailable on crucial holiday dates. Staying informed about weather developments via trusted sources like the BBC Weather website and app can also help travellers plan their journeys more effectively.

“Snarl-up Saturday” is set to become the busiest Saturday on record for Christmas travel, with the RAC forecasting around 4.1 million trips on that day. While heavy rain has recently caused surface water and spray issues, these should gradually lessen, improving conditions for motorists. However, patchy rain and strong winds could develop later in western areas, and morning fog may present challenging driving conditions, particularly in the Midlands, northeast England, and the Welsh Marches. Drivers are advised to follow safety recommendations such as using dipped headlights and maintaining greater stopping distances when fog is present.

The weather outlook for Sunday through to Tuesday includes mainly cloudy skies with occasional light rain shifting toward cooler and drier conditions. Christmas Eve is expected to see the busiest travel day overall, with approximately 4.2 million trips anticipated. By then, a quieter and drier spell of weather is likely to settle in, although temperatures will drop without any significant risk of ice or snow. After Christmas, high pressure systems from the northeast may bring more settled and colder weather, with frost and fog becoming more common toward the end of the year, while daytime temperatures are expected to remain around or slightly below average

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