UPDATED: TRAVEL DISRUPTION BEGINS AS STORMY WEATHER HITS THE ISLAND

Red Jet services have been suspended – and there is further travel disruption across the Island – as adverse weather conditions hit the Isle of Wight. A weather front known as Storm Isha is moving across the United Kingdom, bringing with it strong winds and heavy rain. Red Funnel has confirmed that the hi-speed West Cowes to Southampton service is suspended until further notice. It’s vehicle ferry service continues as normal. Hovertravel is warning of possible cancellations as the day progresses, as is Wightlink. Island Line is also disrupted today but not due to the weather, but instead a shortage of available crew. A yellow weather warning has been issued for the Isle of Wight by IW Met Service and comes into force this evening, remaining in place overnight into Monday morning. UPDATE @ 12:45 – Wightlink has said that due to the absence of an essential staff member, the Fastcat service between Ryde and Portsmouth will be suspended from 16:45 this afternoon. Red Funnel’s Red Jet remains suspended. UPDATE @ 16:49 – Hovertravel has now suspended its Ryde-Southsea service for the rest of the evening. Further cancellations are expected on Monday morning. UPDATE @ 17:41 – Wightlink has now cancelled the 19:00 car ferry sailing from Portsmouth and the 20:00 from Fishbourne, due to the adverse conditions. UPDATE @ 20:10 – The 20:00 from Lymington and the 21:05 from Yarmouth have now been  cancelled by Wightlink.