Storm Pia means travel delays are possible. (Picture: Ioannis Alexopoulos/LNP)

Millions hoping to head home for Christmas by road, rail or air today face major delays as Storm Pia sweeps across the UK.

The storm, named by the Danish meteorological office, is set to bring gusts of up to 80mph throughout the day.

A new yellow weather warning has been put in place by our Met Office, running from midnight until 9pm on Thursday and covering Scotland, Northern Ireland, north Wales and most of England.

Travellers are already feeling the storm’s effects, with TransPennine Express ‘strongly’ urging passengers not to take trains to and from Edinburgh until after 3pm.

Large queues are snaking through Manchester Airport this morning as people attempt the Christmas getaway – but it’s not yet known how today’s strong winds will impact air travel.

Network Rail said cancellations are possible as many services will only run after safety inspections occur. Ferry services across the west coast of Scotland are also facing disruption.