Scotland to be battered by heavy rain and gales as Met Office issues new weather warnings

Fionnuala Boyle
·3-min read
A man walks in heavy rain down Buchanan Street in Glasgow
-Credit:Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images


Scotland has endured wild weather since the start of the new year. From yellow warnings to red alerts, the country has experienced snow, wind, rain, and everything in between, sparking school closures and business shutdowns.

As we roll into mid February, it seems there is no let up. The start of the week brought the risk of snow and freezing rain - a rare phenomenon in the UK - but there were hopes conditions would improve as the days progressed.

Although the mercury is still set to climb into the tens - possibly as high as 16C on Thursday and Friday, according to Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist Tony Wisson - Scots should gear up for a period of heavy rain and strong wind before we hit the weekend.

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The Met Office has issued two yellow weather warnings for Friday, February 21, with gusts of up to 70mph and a whopping 70mm of water on high ground forecast.

The alert for rain comes into effect at 6am and will subside at 6pm, with two distinct regions affected. Parts of Aberdeenshire, Perthshire, and Angus are expecting downpours, as is the south west of Scotland.

In the space of just six hours, 30-40mm could drench parts of the country. Flooding of homes and businesses is "likely," according to the national forecaster, while roads could be washed out, and bus and train services disrupted. Power supplies are also at risk of dropping.

It looks like being a windy and wet Friday for many Scots
It looks like being a windy and wet Friday for many Scots -Credit:Met Office

Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist Mike Silverstone said: “The weather will be turning milder for much of the country from Thursday, but this transition heralds the start of some potentially more impactful wind and rain. While Thursday will see blustery winds and rain for many, it’s Friday when we could see more impacts, with warnings issued for wind and rain.

“On Friday, south and west Wales, southwest Scotland and eastern parts of Northern Ireland will see the strongest winds, possibly around 70mph on exposed coasts and around 60mph more widely within the warning areas. Rain is an additional hazard, with 30-40mm likely in parts of Scotland over a six-hour period, and up to around 70mm possible over higher ground within the warning areas.”

There are currently no flood warnings or alerts issued by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) but folks should keep an eye out for any changes.

On top of the rain, a yellow warning has also been introduced for wind in the south west. A spell of strong and gusty southerly winds will move in over Dumfries and Galloway, South Ayrshire, and East Ayrshire.

Many parts of Scotland will be affected by heavy rain on Friday, February 21
Many parts of Scotland will be affected by heavy rain on Friday, February 21 -Credit:Ken Jack/Getty Images

Between 8am and 3pm on Friday, "gusts of 50-60 mph are likely for exposed coasts and hills of western Britain," according to the Met Office. Some parts of the warning area may see gusts of 70mph for a time, sparking disruption to travel and infrastructure. Winds will ease during the afternoon, hopefully giving some respite to weather-battered Scots.

Wisson gave his verdict on the "milder but unsettled conditions" that are moving in from the Atlantic this week. He explained: "As the week goes on, we’re set to experience wetter conditions with showers and bands of rain moving in from the Atlantic.

"Western hills will see the highest rainfall totals, with 75-100mm possible here, building up from Wednesday to Friday. There will be brighter and sunnier spells in between bands of rain. With temperatures possibly as high as 16C on Thursday and Friday, it will feel much more spring-like than of late.”

Regions affected by the Met Office yellow warning for rain:

Central, Tayside & Fife

  • Angus

  • Perth and Kinross

Grampian

  • Aberdeenshire

SW Scotland, Lothian Borders

  • Dumfries and Galloway

  • Scottish Borders

Strathclyde

  • East Ayrshire

  • South Ayrshire

  • South Lanarkshire

Regions affected by the Met Office yellow warning for wind:

SW Scotland, Lothian Borders

  • Dumfries and Galloway

Strathclyde

  • East Ayrshire

  • South Ayrshire

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