Scots issued with flood warning as wild winter weather to cause havoc before Christmas
Scots have been issued with further warnings about the wild winter weather set to hit the country in the lead up to Christmas. Flood warnings have been issued for parts of Scotland after weather maps predicted a snow bomb will blanket much of the country the weekend before Christmas
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has issued a series of flood alerts and warnings for large parts of Scotland. Much of the West Coast is on alert, along with areas in Central Scotland, and the North-West Highlands.
A total of 18 areas in Scotland are affected, including Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dumfries & Galloway, and Falkirk - with gusts of 50-60mph expected in exposed coastal areas and 40-50mph blasts further inland.
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SEPA's five lower-level flood alerts cover the entire Argyll & Bute and Central regions, as well as Easter Ross & Great Glen, Skye & Lochaber, and Wester Ross. Two flood alerts are also in place for the Moy Bridge and Strathglass areas of Easter Ross & Great Glen.
The flood risk has come about due to heavy rain in northern areas of the country. But melting snow over the next few days could see more flooding over the weekend, potentially impacting those driving home for Christmas as well as festive revellers partying with pals.
Speaking on Monday, Met Office meteorologist Jonathon Vautrey urged people to “take care” due to the heavy rain and snowy meltwater.
He said: "Over the next 24-36 hours, the rainfall totals really will be building up with widely half a month’s worth of rain falling across parts of the Highlands and even into northern areas of Argyll and Bute.”
Posting about their flood alerts, SEPA said: "There's a risk of localised flooding across northern Scotland today due to persistent rain, with the heaviest showers forecast in Wester Ross. Flooding impacts from high river levels and surface water may include flooding of roads, low-lying land and individual properties."
It comes as separate organisations have warned of wet, windy and snowy weather. Before we even reach the weekend, a Met Office weather warning for high winds will come in. The 17-hour alert runs from this afternoon until Wednesday morning.
According to WXCharts' latest charts, large swathes of Scotland are set to see major flurries on Saturday and Sunday (December 21 and 22), with the worst-hit areas forecasted to have peaks of more than 2cm of snow per hour.
Meanwhile the Met Office long range forecast, which spans from December 21 -30, anticipates a wet and windy Christmas week for Scotland, but has also mentioned a chance of the white stuff within this time period.
It reads: "Remaining changeable with further spells of wet and windy weather interspersed with drier and brighter conditions. The wettest and windiest conditions will probably be in the north, especially the northwest, with spells of heavy rain at times as low pressure systems pass by.
"Further south, whilst some unsettled weather is likely at times, it will probably be drier overall with a greater influence of high pressure meaning frontal zones tend to weaken as they come south. Temperatures will tend to be above average for much of the time, although some brief colder incursions remain possible.
"Any snow will most likely be restricted to high ground in the N, although it could temporarily fall at lower levels during any colder interludes."
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