Weather conditions are improving across the UK ahead of the final Christmas travel rush and last-minute shopping rush.
All weather warnings have now been lifted, after the weekend saw strong winds causing widespread flight cancellations and rail delays.
Disorder included A plane suffers an emergency accident at Belfast City Airport Sunday evening, when the plane’s front wheel appeared to break off during landing in windy conditions. The runway was reopened on Monday morning.
The Met Office expects a “gray Christmas” with “very mild” temperatures in most parts of the country in the coming days, ruling out any possibility of a white Christmas in the majority of the country.
It comes after parts of the UK were hit with cold temperatures and 50-60mph winds on Saturday and Sunday – with the strongest gust recorded at South Uist in the Western Isles at 82mph.
But the travel picture looks clearer for those taking trips today or on Tuesday.
While Heathrow Airport was forced to cancel around 100 flights on Sunday due to the conditions, a spokesman said it was “business as usual” on Monday.
National Rail was reporting no widespread problems on Monday morning, although there were some isolated issues around Inverness, Portsmouth and Southsea.
Ferry customers are still being warned of ongoing disruption on some routes operating from Scotland and Northern Ireland.
While driving conditions have improved, congestion is likely to occur. Last week, the RAC predicted a record 29 million separate road trips in the run-up to Christmas – with nearly 7 million taking place over the next two days alone.
Motorists will include those heading to supermarkets on Monday, which is expected to be the biggest food shopping day of the year so far, according to retail analyst Katherine Shuttleworth.
She said high street retailers were bracing for a “busy day”, while supermarkets were looking to take advantage of people being more “cautious” about eating out before Christmas due to demand on household budgets.
Temperatures are expected to improve in the lead-up to Christmas Day, with sunshine expected in some areas, according to BBC meteorologists.
Northern Ireland and western Scotland will see some patchy rain, which will make its way into western parts of England and Wales on Monday afternoon. There is a chance of some snow over the Scottish Hills and Pennines.
Christmas Eve will see mostly cloudy skies, but it is on track to be one of the mildest skies ever recorded. Temperatures are expected to average 12 or 13 degrees Celsius, while Christmas Day is expected to be 11 or 12 degrees Celsius.
