Batten down the hatches as 50mph storm blows in
AN early winter storm will engulf the east of Scotland today, just as the country gears up to celebrate Bonfire Night.
Torrential rain is forecast and winds of up to 50mph are expected to batter the coasts, posing issues for any outdoor events taking place tonight.
However, conditions should dry out by tomorrow night, with chilly temperatures and the occasional shower.
Traffic Scotland warned last night that speed restrictions will be imposed on road bridges today and some may be closed to double decker buses.
On the west coast, CalMac said a forecast for strong winds will force the cancellation of some sailings.
The Met Office has a yellow warning for very heavy rain in place for large swathes of the East of the country, including Grampian, Central, Tayside and Fife, south west Scotland and Lothian and Borders. Aberdeen, Dundee and Edinburgh have been warned to expect up to an inch (15-25mm) of rain, with double that forecast for higher ground.
As a result, homes and businesses could be flooded and disruption can be expected to public transport services.
Greg Dewhurst of the Met Office said the storm is a result of an unusual set of circumstances, with a low pressure system to the south of Scotland reacting violently to an easterly wind.
He added: ‘It is one of those unusual ones. The North Sea is still warm enough to provide extra energy into the atmosphere. From very early morning until midnight, lots of persistent rain will fall in one concentrated area.
‘This will be falling on ground already saturated by a weekend of heavy rain, so it won’t take much for it to gather in pools.
‘All in all, it’s looking like a pretty grim day for eastern Scotland. The west, however, could see some bright sunshine.’
CalMac last night put west coast ferry passengers on notice for delay and cancellation, mostly on routes out of Oban and Mallaig.
The ferry company said the disruption is due to winds forecast to blow above 34mph. Traffic
Scotland used its Twitter account yesterday to warn of restrictions on the country’s bridges today.
The Forth Road Bridge will be subject to a 40mph speed restriction and the crossing could be closed to double decker buses.
Drivers could also face delays if restrictions are required on the Kessock, Dornoch and Cromarty Bridges. It is, however, an improving picture, going into Tuesday.
Mr Dewhurst added: ‘It won’t be until the early hours of Tuesday that the weather front causing the trouble begins to head south of the Border. It will be a breezy day, with showers becoming less frequent as the day goes on.’
There is more cold to come though as the overnight temperature into Wednesday could drop to -5C (23F) in the hills and glens, meaning Wednesday will begin with a widespread frost.
‘Looking like a pretty grim day’