Worst winds to hit area on Xmas Day

A weather warning for gusts of up to 60mph has been extended into Sunday, with the strongest expected as people sit down to their festive lunch.

Restrictions were in place on the Tay Road Bridge overnight and early today with the route closed to double decker buses as wind speeds reached 45mph.

A 30mph speed limit was in place for all other vehicles.

The Met Office has urged locals to “be aware” over the next few days, with winds approaching 50mph expected tomorrow and heavy downpours.

Rain that hit the city overnight had cleared up by mid-morning, but forecasters warned of more “unpleasant” conditions to come.

A spokesman for the Met Office told the Tele: “It will certainly be a mixed bag.

“The restrictions are likely to remain in place on the bridge with gusts of 50mph expected today.

“There will be no real change in that — with showers expected to arrive from the west.

“These will be largely intermittent but will create hazardous conditions for commuters.

“The top temperature for today is likely to be 6C but it’s likely to feel a lot colder with the wind.

“We will see more persistent showers and unpleasant conditions throughout the course of Friday.”

Heading into Christmas Eve, further strong gusts are expected although these will ease up on Saturday afternoon.

However they will return 24 hours later, with Dundee’s chances of enjoying snow on Christmas Day now wiped out.

The spokesman added: “With the mild conditions it certainly rules out the chances of a white Christmas.

“But we will likely see a return of winds as strong as 60mph.”

Commuters over the Christmas weekend have been warned that they could face travel disruption as a result of the weather.

Gusts of up to 90mph are expected elsewhere in Scotland with western and northern parts of the country worst hit.

The Scottish Government said its resilience arrangements have been activated to ensure the country is as prepared as possible for the severe weather.

STORM Barbara has started to make its presence felt in Tayside — with the strongest winds now set to hit the region on Christmas Day.

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Signs at the bridge today