Bermuda is cleaning up the debris today after experiencing a wet and windy Christmas.

The winter storm that hit the Island on Christmas Day brought 1.21 inches of rain and strong gusts that caused trees and branches to break off and boats to break their moorings.

Bermuda Weather Service meteorologist Elizabeth Nelson said the conditions on Wednesday were the result of a winter storm caused by severe low pressure to the northeast of the Island.

She said although the conditions were unpleasant, they were not out of the ordinary for this time of year.

The heaviest rainfall came between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Christmas day, but between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., 0.94 inches of rain was recorded at Bermuda International Airport, where the weather station is based.

However, in the west of the Island, and across Great Sound, visibility was reduced as the high winds drove the downpour sidewards, across the Island.

Ms Nelson said: "The rainfall is not particularly noteworthy, but we certainly have had a lot of wind as there is a very deep low to our north.

"Its centre is about 600 miles from us to the north, and it's connected to the bad weather they have been having on the East Coast of America.

"I think on Friday we will really feel the cold air coming over the Island, but the wind may drop a bit."

Yesterday morning the wind was recorded at about 46 knots, with peak gusts of up to 56 knots hammering the Island between noon and 2 p.m.

It led to branches being torn down and numerous boats losing their moorings in all directions.

Harbour Radio reported a number of incidents where smaller boats had broken free of their moorings, but no one was hurt or placed in danger; and in Hamilton Harbour yesterday, Rance's Boatyard came to the rescue when a 21-foot private pleasure craft began to take on water and submerge.

On Christmas night, the poor weather conditions in Bermuda and New York led to the American Airlines late flight from JFK airport being cancelled altogether, resulting in no American 7 a.m. flight back to JFK yesterday.

An American Airlines worker said the flights were resuming last night, and Christmas Day passengers were being rescheduled on alternative flights, with most arriving on the Island a day or two late.

All other flights ran as normal throughout the bad weather .

Executive assistant manager at The Reefs Hotel Debbie MacMillan said that despite the bad weather, its festive night went without a hitch.

Duty manager at the Fairmont Southampton hotel Michael Nugent said while all of its guests, local and from overseas, were able to keep their dinner and lunch plans on Christmas Day, the cancellation of the flight on Christmas night did have an effect.

"We have had to roll over about 30 rooms until today (Thursday) because the late flight did not arrive," said Mr. Nugent. "Some will arrive tonight instead, (Thursday), but a lot of those guests have been bumped onto flights for Friday because they simply could not get on one today. What it means is that we are going to be busier for New Year because people are arriving later than planned, but that is fine."