PEOPLE are being warned to avoid all but "essential" travel with gusts of more than 70mph and torrential downpours expected to wreak travel chaos into the early hours of Christmas Eve.
The Met Office has today issued amber warnings for rain for London and the South East with stormy conditions expected to spark widespread rail and road disruption.
First Great Western is waiving ticket restrictions because the torrid conditions coupled with the Christmas rush means trains will be especially packed. The train operator is also warning commuters using services after noon that journey times will be "significantly extended" due to speed restrictions imposed by Network Rail.
South West Trains says some services between London Waterloo and Reading due to leave after 5pm are likely to be cancelled.
Meanwhile, today is expected to be one of the busiest days of the year on the roads ahead of the Christmas rush.
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