‘Major disruption’ and ‘severe overcrowding’ is expected across the rail network
22:13, 13 Nov 2025Updated 22:14, 13 Nov 2025
Services from Manchester Piccadilly will also face disruption(Image: Getty Images)
Train passengers have been warned of railway chaos on Friday (November 14) and told ‘do not travel’ with multiple services already cancelled amid brutal Storm Claudia winds.
Meteorologists at the Met Office have issued weather warnings as Storm Claudia is set to affect the weather conditions in the UK over the next few days, including across the north west.
Storm Claudia, named by Spanish weather agency AEMET, is set to bring ‘strong gusty winds’ and heavy rain to the UK over the coming days.
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In addition to the existing 24-hour yellow weather warning for rain affecting parts of the UK from 6am on Friday until 6am on Saturday, November 15, two amber alerts for rain and a yellow alert for wind has been added.
The Met Office weather maps showing when Greater Manchester will be hit with 55mph winds(Image: The Met Office)
The yellow wind warning comes into effect at 12pm on Friday and will remain in place until 11:59pm the same day. This is set to affect Greater Manchester and other parts of north west England, as well as parts of Wales, West Midlands, Yorkshire and East Midlands.
Heavy rain and potential flooding is expected to affect large parts of England. Warnings highlight likely travel disruption, the possibility of power cuts and flooding for some.
Train operators have now issued a number of urgent travel warnings. Avanti West Coast, which has already cancelled some services from Manchester Piccadilly, has warned of a reduced service on Friday (November 14).
Piccadilly Station in Manchester(Image: Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News)
“We’re running a reduced timetable further to speed restrictions applied by Network Rail,” an update said. “Fewer trains will run and journeys will take longer. There is then a risk of further disruption on the rail network due to this extreme weather, especially in the North West.”
Passengers are being urged to plan ahead and allow extra time for your journey, checking before all travel online. Live disruptions are available here.
Northern Rail has also issued a warning, asking passengers to ‘avoid travelling’ if possible, with ‘major disruption expected’ throughout the day on Friday and possible heavy delays and ‘severe overcrowding’. Road replacement services will not be offered.
“Our advice to customers is to travel only if it is essential on a number of routes,” an update read. “Heavy rain and winds are expected on Friday 14 November and Saturday 15 November.
Northern Rail has also issued a warning
“A number of yellow weather warnings for wind are in place. Flooding is expected in places, and strong winds may bring down trees onto the railway.
“Our advice to customers is we strongly advise you to avoid travelling if you can. Trains are running, but major disruption is expected, and you may be heavily delayed and/or experience severe overcrowding. Please check before you travel.”
The operator said that due to the forecasted severe weather, fewer trains will be able to run on some lines and will cause disruption until the end of the day on Saturday (November 15).
These include various services from Manchester Piccadilly and Victoria, including to Blackburn, Southport, Hadfield, Crewe, Buxton, Stoke-on-Trent and Chester. A full list and updates are available here.
A number of Northern services on Friday have already been cancelled, with a reduced service running between Liverpool and Manchester Victoria; Liverpool and Wigan North Western; Stockport and Chester and Manchester Piccadilly and Stoke/Crewe.