Storm Hector set to bring 70mph gusts
● Severe weather warning in force with heavy rain likely across western Scotland
The first named storm of the season is set to hit Scotland with 70mph winds.
A weather warning is in place for Storm Hector, which is set to sweep across the country today.
A severe weather warning for Storm Hector today may be raised to amber as the first to be named in the summer threatens disruption from gusts of up to 70mph.
The Met Office said the greatest potential impact in Scotland was from mid-morning onwards across southern and central parts of the country.
The yellow “be aware” alert for 3am to 3pm could be increased to “be prepared” in some areas.
An amber warning is already in force for Northern Ireland from 4am-9am.
In Scotland, westerly winds gusting to 50mph-60mph are likely, and possibly 70mph in some exposed places. They will be accompanied by downpours, which will be heaviest over western Scotland.
Stein Connelly, operator manager for the Scottish Government’s Transport Scotland agency said: “The strong winds and rain may lead to difficult driving conditions, particularly for high-sided vehicles. Motorists should take extra time to plan journeys, follow police advice and drive appropriately to conditions.
“The strong wind may impact rail, air and ferry services, so travellers should check with operators to see if their journeys will be affected.”
Calmac warned of likely “significant disruption” to its west coast ferry routes.
Director of service delivery David Gibson said: “As always when stormy weather is forecast, people should check their travel arrangements before leaving the house.
“Our website and social media feeds will be updated constantly as the latest information becomes available.
“With such a broad forecast, it is difficult to pin down individual routes that will be affected the most. However, we expect significant disruption.
“Even though winds [are set to] weaken over the course of Thursday, there is every chance vessels will be out of position, resulting in a disruption knock-on effect for the rest of the day.”
The Scotrail Alliance plans to run a full service but has teams on standby to remove debris blown onto tracks.
Met Office chief meteorologist Will Lang said: “The public can prepare for the adverse weather by securing loose objects such as garden furniture, outdoor toys and other loose objects.
“As it is summer and trees are in leaf, there is a greater risk of impact from debris.”
A Met Office spokeswoman said: “A deep low pressure system will bring very strong winds and spells of rain to northern parts of the UK, marking an end to the dry and settled weather over the past few weeks.
“The unusually active depression,namedstormhector by Met Éireann, is expected to move across Northern Ireland early on Thursday morning, before spreading eastwards across Scotland, northern England and north Wales.
“Strong westerly winds will bring widespread gusts of 50mph-60mph to these areas, with gusts possibly reaching 70mph in exposed locations.
“A spell of heavy rain will accompany the strong winds, with parts of western Scotland seeing the highest rainfall totals.
“Winds will gradually ease from the west during Thursday afternoon, with lighter winds returning across the country by Friday.”
The agency said Hector was the first named storm in summer since the UK and Ireland started giving them names last year to raise awareness of their potential impact.
It said: “Although not exceptional, it is unusual for winds to reach 69mph or higher in the UK during June.
“On 1 June, 2015 and 7 June, 2017, gusts of 69mph were recorded in Drumalbin in South Lanarkshire and Inverbervie in Aberdeenshire.
“However, between 2004 and 2014 there were no reports of winds reaching this speed anywhere in Scotland.”
Grahame Madge of the agency added: “A storm on this scale at this time of the year has to be considered differently to one happening in winter.
“People are more likely to be travelling, camping, caravanning and boating than if it was October or November.”