The AA predicted 23.7 million drivers would hit the road on Friday, making it the busiest day on the roads since the group’s records began in 2010.

It projected that Saturday would see 22.7 million drivers and Sunday 21.3 million.

A spokesperson for the group said: “With more than 20 million car journeys expected on both Saturday and Sunday if the congestion wasn’t enough of a headache, the inclement weather could create the perfect storm.

“We advise those heading out to allow extra time to travel and increase the distance between themselves and other road users.”

The Met Office have warned travellers to wear an extra layer as the winds will make it feel colder than usual.

A spokesperson said: “Blustery showers will continue this evening, particularly in the north and west, where they will turn increasingly wintry over higher ground.

“You may also need an extra layer if you are heading out as the strong winds will make it feel cold for many of us.”

Yellow wind warnings have been released for the weekend, with one covering Scotland, much of Northern Ireland, north Wales and north-west England between 7am and midnight on Saturday.

Sunday’s warning also includes London, the South East, the South West, the East Midlands, the West Midlands, Yorkshire and all of Wales and Northern Ireland.

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Frequent blustery showers continue overnight, turning increasingly to sleet and snow over the hills in the north and west. Some clear spells between the showers and remaining very windy.

A cold and very windy day on Sunday with sunny spells and blustery, wintry showers, these tending to fall as rain into the afternoon. Feeling cold despite the sunshine.

Turning milder during Monday and Christmas Eve with outbreaks of rain spreading southeast, and still windy. Drier in the south into Christmas Day although still rather damp in the north.

At least 15,000 passengers are believed to be receiving messages saying their flights to or from London Heathrow have been cancelled. While airlines including Lufthansa and Virgin Atlantic have grounded departures, most of the flights affected are on British Airways.

The airline has now issued a statement on cancellations. A spokesperson said: “Due to adverse weather this weekend, restrictions have been put on the number of flights able to take off and land at Heathrow and therefore we’ve had to make a small number of cancellations.

“We’re offering free flight changes for those customers booked on short-haul services who don’t wish to travel this weekend, and we will be offering rebooking and refund options as always to those whose journeys are disrupted as a result of the restrictions.

“While the vast majority of our customers will travel as planned, our teams are working hard to help those who have been affected get their travel plans back on track at this important time of year.”

At London Heathrow, the UK’s biggest airport, around 100 flights due to arrive and depart on Sunday have been cancelled due to restrictions on the rate at which planes can land and take-off.

Heathrow is the world’s busiest two-runway airport, with landings as close as 80 seconds apart. During strong winds, the rate of arrivals is slowed, inevitably leading to cancellations. These are ideally made in advance rather than on the day.

British Airways alone has grounded 80 planes, including six flights to and from Amsterdam and Glasgow, as well as links with Madrid, Nice and Vienna.

Other airlines have also trimmed their schedules, with Virgin Atlantic grounding a round-trip to Miami. Lufthansa of Germany cancelled two Frankfurt arrivals and departures.

Swiss, TAP Portugal, Eurowings, SAS, KLM and Turkish Airlines also grounded flights.

P&O Ferries have confirmed journeys between Larne and Cairnryan have been cancelled for at least 24 hours.

A spokesperson said: “Due to adverse weather conditions, all P&O Ferries sailings between Larne and Cairnryan have been cancelled from 2000 tonight (21st December) until at least 2000 tomorrow night (22nd December).

“We ask our customers please not to travel to either of the ports if their sailing has been cancelled, to avoid causing traffic congestion.

“All remaining sailings for today are fully booked, customers can manage their booking online or call us on 01304 884488 to amend or cancel their booking. We apologise for the inconvenience.”

Ferries have been cancelled and train services impacted as high winds hit Scotland’s Christmas getaway.

By noon on Saturday, CalMac, which operates ferry services on Scotland’s west coast, reported that sailings on 21 of its routes were cancelled for the day, with other services facing disruption.

Meanwhile, Northlink Ferries, which runs services between Aberdeen and the Orkney and Shetland isles, also reported disruption.

It said “adverse weather conditions” meant a sailing between Kirkwall on Orkney and Lerwick in the Shetland Isles was cancelled, along with sailings between Aberdeen and Lerwick, which were scheduled for Saturday evening.

Rail operator ScotRail announced that speed restrictions would be in place for part of the route between Glasgow and Oban/Mallaig, and the Inverness service to Kyle/Wick.