Flood alerts as freak downpours strike

TORRENTIAL rain swept across Scotland yesterday, leading to several flood alerts.

The downpours started in the west and moved east to cover most of Scotland on a day that would normally see the best of summer weather.

Worst hit areas included Perthshire, which saw more than an inch of rain during the day, with a further two inches expected today. Fife, Perth, northern Scotland and the eastern Highlands will remain on flood alert until 6pm this evening.

Gale force winds of up to 42mph, hail and even tornados are also forecast by the met office.

Positive Weather Solutions' senior forecaster Jonathan Powell said: "This is a freak weekend of November weather in mid-summer for Scotland, sinking fetes and weddings and people's hopes of enjoying time outdoors.

"People would normally be reaching for sun cream on a mid-July weekend - but it's brollies, wellies and raincoats all the way. It's a fearsome battering really, with potentially damaging winds and temperatures between 5C and 8C below normal."

Met Office forecaster Andrew Sibley added: "The whole of the UK had rain by Saturday afternoon, with up to 20mm falling - but heavier rain was moving in to Scotland overnight. By lunchtime, Scotland faces 25mm of rain, with 50mm in places. It will be windy with possible gales."