Storm Clara - would you travel on Sunday?

[DivisionBelles]

I don't know if I'm being irrational and over cautious or not. We have to go to a family party tomorrow around 2.5 hours from home. We're staying overnight and travelling back on Sunday. We're in the SW, and travelling within the SW. DH thinks I'm being ridiculous, but I'm feeling really worried about the journey home. Am I being silly or not?

That should be Storm Ciara, not Clara. Damn autocorrect!

Just go, be sensible and avoid long bridges if closed. If your route is past known flood spots it's worth planning an alternative.

I’m fully intending to be flying into Gatwick on Sunday. 🤷‍♀️

Although, if my flight is cancelled and I have to add on an extra day to my long weekend, I won’t be sobbing into my pillow.

I wouldnt this storm looks like it could be really bad - assuming they have forecasted it correctly!. I staying home and having a veg on the sofa day for a change!

Drive sensibly, keep phones etc fully charged and check route regularly (or via sat nav if you have it) in case of problems along the way, have food, drink, blankets etc in the car and I’m sure you’ll be fine.
It’s a storm, they happen all the time. Don’t spoil your plans over it.

To be fair to OP, they are saying it's going to be the worst since 2013

Just be cautious as PP have advised and be aware of where all services are and those with hotels.
As soon as it gets a bit much, head to nearest one

I am in a similar boat and thinking of delaying travel until early Monday morning... Does anyone know when the storm is supposed to end?

Forgot to add, we will also have DH's parents (77 and 82) in the car too. We're going to North Devon.

It’s only meant to be Sunday at the moment, winds dropping but continuing into next week. Trouble with things like this, they can change very quickly and are often a bit unpredictable.
On the plus side op, lots of people will avoid travel and being a Sunday, fewer large vehicles and fewer vehicles in general out and about.
Biggest issue is going to be on the coast, near water or exposed areas such as bridges. So check your route closely. Fallen branches and debris mean main roads are a better option if you can.

Why would you call your storm Ciara when it is in the U.K. ????

KIDDING

I have to be honest, I was meant to be away this weekend and have cancelled because of this - I didn't fancy driving roads I don't know for three hours to get home on Sunday. We have ponies and they are being moved into a field that was mean to be rested on Saturday night as the resting field has a lot more shelter. It is meant to be grim!

Just to add, I did have a car accident last year (on a warm, sunny day!) so I am a lot more cautious than I used to be.

I'm flying out of Gatwick on Sunday so hopefully the flight leaves before the wind picks up.

Just checked forecast. Damn, the times have shifted. Hope we get out ok, I've not been on holiday for 12 years!

I would travel. But then I live in a part of the UK where 80mph winds are just a regular Tuesday in winter.

We're flying to Lapland from Gatwick Sunday morning. I am staying positive it's not cancelled

I've cancelled a train trip halfway across the country, I've got way too much experience of how badly disrupted trains can be at the best of times. I'm in the SW as well and it seems to flood easily at the moment. I'd be cautious too, take the warnings seriously.

We just thinking about this. We in South west and supposed to be traveling on Sunday to meet family for lunch. To honest the route over moors not the best generally and think there will be trees down. Or we go on the M5 which is always a bloody nightmare. Not sure it's worth the risk just for lunch 2hours each way .My DP thinks I'm being dramatic. So we will wait till Sunday morning and decide

I am travelling through the north west on Sunday. I’ve moved my train time forward a bit but I am still going to travel. Too much experience of predictions of terrible weather that doesn’t arrive as well as the reverse. I have to travel so I will just keep my phone charged and a good book to hand.

I often wonder if the Met Office errs on the side of caution, and it will not be as bad for most people.

Just be prepared with as others have said, phone charged etc.

It’s not just the Met Office, I’m afraid - I’ve seen a few very detailed forecast images online, & although they’re not identical they all show some scarily strong gusts.

Very recent one.
I’m in a fairly rural part of Lancashire, have lived here 35 years, & iirc we’ve never had anything like this before, even when other places have.
I am quite concerned...

There’s a thread on February storms on the Weather board at the moment, I’d head over there and ask the resident MN weather expert, she’s ever so good.