Temperatures to hit 20C before next downpour

Tayside and Fife to enjoy brief respite with day of sunshine

A week of turbulent weather across Tayside and Fife could end with 80mph storms – but not before a day of unseasonably high temperatures.

The area has already endured a downpour and flood alerts this week and it may end with travel chaos and power cuts as a Met Office yellow warning comes into force in the region between 5am and 9pm on Friday.

A yellow warning for heavy rain came into effect across Tayside and Fife yesterday morning and will remain until this evening.

A forecast for “persistent and heavy rain” also prompted a flood alert from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) for Tayside yesterday.

Forecasters say the mercury could soar to 20C tomorrow before the weather takes another turn for the worse from Thursday into Friday. According to Met Office records, the average local temperature for the second week of October is 13C. The Scottish figure for the month is 11C.

Met Office meteorologist Sophie Yeomans said: “Wednesday is fine and dry conditions and the temperatures could see high teens or so. I think as we head into Wednesday it might feel quite warm. I’d expect 18C, 19C or 20C.”

The poor conditions later in the week are being caused by a weather system moving in from the Atlantic but are not linked to Storm Leslie.

They could also cause delays to road, rail, air and ferry travel; as well as route and bridge closures.

Ms Yeomans added: “On Thursday we’ll see a bit more unsettled weather. It will turn wet and windy as the weather front moves in but on Friday we’ll see a stronger weather system move through.

“That will be bringing some heavy portions of rain but also really strong winds. The gales may be severe gales. That one will be affecting all parts of Scotland in terms of the wind.

“At the moment, as the warning suggests, we’re going to be seeing gusts upwards of 60mph-70mph, possibly 80mph around really exposed areas.”