COMMUTERS have been warned of delays as trains and flights are cancelled across the United Kingdom due to high winds.
But how bad do the gusts have to get before transport options are halted?
What wind speed cancels flights?
As many factors can impact a flight’s ability to take off or land during bad weather, there is no set wind speed that will ground a plane.
During Storm Dennis in 2020, winds reached 90mph causing many flights to be interrupted – however Storm Eunice is expected to see winds of more than 100mph.
The storm – pegged to be one of the worst in decades – has already caused widespread disruption across the UK as 100mph winds are expected to hit.
If a flight is not yet in the air, an airline might decide to cancel a bulk amount of flights for the safety of its passengers due to bad or unpredictable weather and high winds.
When a plane is in the air, wind speed is only one element that is given consideration as to whether a flight can make a safe landing.
The type of aircraft, runway conditions, wind direction, which airport the plane is flying into or out of and how many other aircrafts are flying around the same time will all impact the pilot’s decision on approach.
Most read in The Sun
What wind speeds cancel trains?
There is no set speed at which a train is cancelled as each service has its own safety guidelines.
High and unpredictable winds can impact trains running as they become dangerous to operate.
Debris or trees can fall onto the tracks which could result in catastrophic consequences.
Train drivers are alerted of high winds between 60 – 90mph so they can travel at a slower speed and if they have
Eunice could be the worst storm in years – with forecasters saying gales could be stronger than on Burns Night in 1990 when speeds reached 107mph.
The Thameslink which is is a 24-hour, 115-station main-line route has strongly advised people not to travel today as they are ‘unable to guarantee’ a completion of a full journey.
They have also said they do not have any alternative transport options available. There are trains planned to run, but these will be subject to delay/cancellation.
Which flights and trains have been cancelled?
Many flights on February 18 have been grounded with urgent warnings issued for holidaymakers.
According to inews, Cornwall Airport Newquay told travellers it was “expecting disruption”.
Meanwhile, Eastern Airways cancelled its London-Gatwick service.
London City Airport has cancelled all flights until 4:30pm, while a large number of flights have been cancelled at London Heathrow.
According to the Independent, more than 80 BA flights have been affected, with 44 at Heathrow.
EasyJet has also been forced to cancel a number of flights from Gatwick and Bristol Airport.
British Airways said on Twitter the arrival flow rate at London Heathrow is being reduced due to gale force winds.
The airline said in a statement: “Like other airlines, we’re expecting extreme weather conditions at airports across the UK as a result of Storm Eunice, which will cause significant disruption.”
And an EasyJet spokesperson said: “Due to strong winds impacting parts of the UK today, like other airlines we are experiencing some disruption to our flying programme and have been required to cancel a small number of flights to and from the UK.”
And Exeter Airport in Devon cancelled three flights to Edinburgh, Exeter and Belfast.
Gatwick Airport tweeted: “Weather Warning. Be advised that due to storm Eunice, there is the possibility for disruption to flights, and the shuttle service to North terminal on Friday, between approximately 10am and 4pm.
Wales has now cancelled all trains for today because of the urgent alert – the first time all trains in the country have been axed.
A Network Rail spokesman said disruption is “inevitable”, with a railway operator saying that there will be blanket train speed restriction of 50mph in most places, which will slow down your journey time massively.
This post first appeared on Thesun.co.uk
ncG1vNJzZmhqZGy7psPSmqmorZ6Zwamx1qippZxemLyue9SnmpqslZy8s7XZnptor5iWwW7DyKebZqugmrKlecKapZydnKh6p7jIoJ%2Btq12Wu6V506uYoqajZA%3D%3D