Scotland’s weather: Amber alert for western Scotland as 70mph winds and further downpours expected

By ALASTAIR DALTON
Published on 21/11/2012 16:03

AN amber severe weather warning - “be prepared” - has been issued by the Met Office for western Scotland for tomorrow, with transport disruption and flooding likely because of winds reaching 70mph and heavy rain so soon after Monday’s downpours.

• Areas affected include Glasgow, Perthshire, Argyll, and Drumfries and Galloway

• Winds of up to 70mph expected to hit west coast

The affected area curves round Glasgow from Perthshire through Argyll to Dumfries and Galloway, with a yellow warning - “be aware” - issued for much of the rest of Scotland, Wales and the western half of England.

The Met Office said: “A spell of very wet and very windy weather is expected to move west to east across many parts of the UK during Thursday.

“Coming so soon after the heavy rain which fell in many places earlier in the week, this is likely to provoke further issues with flooding.

“Additionally, winds will gust to 50 or 60mph in places, and perhaps 70mph in some exposed western areas.

“In view of the wind and rain combination, the public should be prepared for transport disruption.”

Transport Scotland said travel disruption could be worst during the morning rush hour. Up to 2in (50mm) of rain is expected to fall “in a short period of time”.

The agency said the heaviest rain was expected to fall over high ground in Dumfries & Galloway, Argyll, the southern Highlands, Stirling and west Tayside – many of the same areas that were affected earlier this week by heavy rain.

Transport minister Keith Brown said: “I would urge the travelling public and motorists to take extra care in areas that experience testing conditions.

“It looks like a testing rush hour for many people tomorrow and motorists will need to be extra cautious when travelling in heavy downpours and allow extra time for braking distances.”

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency’s Flood Unit, said there were 12 flood alerts in place, covering Argyll and Bute, Ayrshire and Arran, Dumfries and Galloway, Central, Dundee and Angus, Edinburgh and Lothians, Fife, Scottish Borders, Skye and Lochaber, West Central Scotland, Western Isles and Tayside, with more expected to be issued over the next 24 hours.