Storm Impacts Travel in British Isles

The Guardian is reporting that a violent Atlantic storm with gusts reaching 100mph is impacting travel to Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and much of the western half of England from the Lake District to Cornwall.

Authorities have closed bridges, cut power lines and delayed or canceled flights due to the storm, which is expected to ease by the afternoon of Tuesday, January 3, 2012, although sporadic turbulence may continue on Wednesday and early Thursday.

The worst effects have been felt on the British Isles' Atlantic coastline, with 105mph gusts recorded at Malin Head in Donegal.

Police in Strathclyde and Lothian and Borders advised people to travel only if their journeys are essential. The Met Office warned that mainland Scotland would have the worst of the storm, but added that Wales was also in the firing line with 93mph winds at Aberaeron in west Wales and the possibility of flooding from short but torrential falls of rain.

There are severe weather warnings in place for most of southern and western England, west Wales, Northern Ireland and the bulk of Scotland, with the latter seeing more serious amber warnings.

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