Scotland braced for Helene 70mph blast

WINDS of 70mph are set to batter the country today as Storm Helene blows in.

A Met Office yellow warning for severe weather has been issued for much of the south of Scotland from this evening.

Ferry services and public events were cancelled yesterday as winds picked up ahead of the arrival of the storm.

It is expected road, rail, air and ferry services will be affected, with longer journey times and cancellations likely.

The Met Office warning runs from 6pm tonight until 8am tomorrow, with gusting winds up to 70mph possible. Power cuts and interruptions to mobile phone services are likely and the Met Office said fallen trees would also be a hazard.

Met Office spokesman Mike Reading said: ‘The Galloway coast is believed to be at most risk, from 6pm onwards. Then it will spill into the Borders through Tuesday. Most of Scotland will be fairly breezy but will remain outside the warning area.

‘Most of the country’s road bridges will be protected as the winds are coming from the south. The Skye Bridge is the most likely candidate for disruption.’

He added: ‘One of the dangers being taken into account is that trees are still in leaf. Later in the year there would be less of an impact from these winds as they would offer less resistance.’

High winds forced Aberdeen City Council to cancel a ‘car-free city centre’ event yesterday amid fears stalls and inflatables could be blown over.

On the West Coast, ferry sailings were disrupted on a number of CalMac routes and the ferry operator yesterday said some services were ‘liable to disruption and cancellation at short notice’.

Storm Helene formed in the Azores last week. It is expected to bring heavy rain to Dumfries and Galloway, the Central Belt, the Lothians and the Borders.