Warning of Storm Barbara battering
Amber alert as 90mph winds are forecast to cause Christmas havoc
HURRICANE-FORCE winds sweeping in on a transatlantic jet stream are threatening to cause Christmas chaos for thousands of travellers over the festive season.
Homecoming travel plans face disruption and some families could be left without power on Christmas Day due to 90mph winds from Storm Barbara.
Plunging temperatures in the US clashing with tropical air from the Caribbean have energised the jetstream, the fast-flowing ribbon of air in the atmosphere that determines our weather.
A deep depression crossing the Atlantic is travelling so fast, on a 230mph jet stream, forecasters say it will make landfall on Scotland two days earlier than expected.
While a yellow “be aware” warning of 55mph winds comes into force, the Met Office has upgraded the alert to an amber “be prepared” for Friday and Saturday.
Storm Barbara is expected to sweep across north and north west Scotland, the western isles, Orkney and Shetland with gusts of up to 90mph. The whole of the country can expect winds up to 80mph.
Householders have been told to expect structural damage, as well as interruptions to power supplies which could ruin planned Christmas Day dinners.
Lightning is seen as the biggest danger to power supplies as bolts target pylons in exposed areas. There is also snow on higher hills to contend with.
Roads and rail services will be affected but the biggest disruption is forecast for flight departures and the ferries, just as thousands head home to the islands for Christmas or make for the mainland to begin foreign holidays.
The Met Office warning states: “A spell of very strong south to southwesterly winds is expected to develop on Friday.
“Gusts of 80mph are likely quite widely, with westerly winds gusting to 90mph likely across parts of western and northern Scotland later on Friday and overnight into Saturday.
“Winds will then ease on Saturday morning. Be aware of the potential for some structural damage – this more likely across the northwest of the warning area – as well as disruption to power supplies and travel, with restrictions on bridges and disruption to ferries.”
Local authorities will be urgently reviewing the safety of civic Christmas decorations in town high streets in the affected areas.
Large trees and lights could be decimated by the powerful winds, scattering debris and running the risk of causing electric shocks.
Nicky Maxey, of the Met Office, said: “It’s a shame that we have had all this settled weather for a long time and then this disruption comes at Christmas.
“Christmas Day is just outside our forecasting range but it, too, looks unsettled. After that, a high pressure system takes over, making things more settled as we go into New Year.”
CalMac has already cancelled ferry crossings from Oban to Coll and Tiree, Ullapool to Stornoway, and Mallaig to Armadale on Skye and is advising ferry travellers to check its website.
‘‘ Be aware of the potential for some structural damage as well as disruption to power and travel