Storm Ciara to cause havoc in UK as travellers face severe disruption

Flight cancellations expected as wind speed exceeds 120kmh

Waves crash over Newhaven Lighthouse on the south coast of England, as Storm Ciara swept over the country. AFP

People walk along the promenade as waves in break in a stormy sea alongside the lighthouse in New Brighton, north west England as Storm Ciara swept over the country. AFP

Body boarders ride the stormy waves at Broad Haven, Pembrokeshire, Wales, Britain as Storm Ciara approaches the Welsh coastline. Reuters

The construction fabric has been blown off a scaffold in a construction project during the storm Ciara in Harlingen, The Netherlands. EPA

Waves crash over the harbour wall by a lighthouse as Storm Ciara hits Newhaven, on the south coast of England. AP Photo

A woman holds a hand rail to steady herself as she walks along the harbour wall in Polperro, south west England, as Storm Ciara swept over the country. AFP

A man walks with a child and a dog on a dike against strong wind during the storm Ciara in Harlingen, The Netherlands. AFP

Storm Ciara arrives with waves hitting the Cobb in Lyme Regis, United Kingdom. Getty Images

Storm Ciara arrives with waves hitting the Cobb in Lyme Regis, United Kingdom. Getty Images

Storm Ciara arrives in Lyme Regis, United Kingdom. Getty Images

Strong winds over 120kmh are expected to wreak havoc across the UK on Sunday with travel likely to be severely disrupted.

The Met Office has issued weather warnings for large parts of the country as Storm Ciara moves in.

Thousands are expected to be affected by flight cancellations and ferry crossing points are being closed due to stormy seas.

Virgin Atlantic was forced to cancel some flights and British Airways introduced “flexible rebooking options” for domestic and European journeys to and from some London airports.

“Storm Ciara will bring damaging winds and heavy rain across the UK this weekend and we have issued a range of severe weather warnings giving people time to prepare for potential impacts of the storm,” said the Met Office’s chief meteorologist, Frank Saunders.

“Winds will increase through Saturday across Northern Ireland, Scotland, northern England and Wales, before turning very windy across the rest of UK through the early hours of Sunday morning,” he said.

The Met Office warned power cuts were to be expected.

“This rough weather could making visiting our coasts around the UK and Ireland treacherous and bring very dangerous sea conditions,” said Guy Addington of the lifeboat service.

“Sadly, around 150 people accidentally lose their lives around UK and Irish waters each year and over half of these people didn’t plan on ever entering the water. Slips, trips and falls can be a major factor in these kinds of incidents.”