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Met Office warns of severe gales in Scotland Severe gale warning for Scotland
(about 1 hour later)
The Met Office has issued an amber warning for high winds affecting much of central, southern and western Scotland on Wednesday.The Met Office has issued an amber warning for high winds affecting much of central, southern and western Scotland on Wednesday.
Gale or severe gale-force winds have been predicted, with the possibility of gusts up to 90mph in exposed coastal areas of the west.Gale or severe gale-force winds have been predicted, with the possibility of gusts up to 90mph in exposed coastal areas of the west.
Forecasters have said that damage to buildings and disruption to transport services can be expected.Forecasters have said that damage to buildings and disruption to transport services can be expected.
Transport Minister Keith Brown has urged people to drive with caution.Transport Minister Keith Brown has urged people to drive with caution.
The weather warning will be in force from 09:00 on Wednesday until midnight.The weather warning will be in force from 09:00 on Wednesday until midnight.
BBC Scotland weather forecaster Christopher Blanchett said: "The high winds are all part of a deep area of low pressure that will be sitting overhead by around midday.BBC Scotland weather forecaster Christopher Blanchett said: "The high winds are all part of a deep area of low pressure that will be sitting overhead by around midday.
"We'll see the winds at their peak between midday and 6pm, with gusts of around 60-70mph through Central and Southern Scotland."We'll see the winds at their peak between midday and 6pm, with gusts of around 60-70mph through Central and Southern Scotland.
"On exposed western coasts, from Ayrshire to Uist, we could see isolated gusts of 80-90mph."On exposed western coasts, from Ayrshire to Uist, we could see isolated gusts of 80-90mph.
"The impact of these winds is likely to be tree damage and tiles blown off roofs, flying debris, closure of bridges or roads, power cuts and damage to overhead rail power lines. "The impact of these winds is likely to be tree damage and tiles blown off roofs, flying debris, closure of bridges or roads, power cuts and damage to overhead rail power lines."
"Disruption to ferry services is also very likely." Ferry services have already been disrupted and Transport Scotland warned that exposed bridges could be closed to high-sided vehicles and double-deckers.
Bridge closures Power warning
Transport Scotland has warned that exposed bridges could be closed to high-sided vehicles and double-deckers. Transport Minister Keith Brown told BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme: "The main problem, especially with high wind, is debris and trees falling on to power lines, and that can be a major problem.
The transport minister said: "Drivers should be alert to the potential for bridge closures, overturned vehicles and fallen trees and should drive with caution, avoiding unnecessary risks. "But we seem to be coping extremely well with that and let's hope we don't have too many more people cut off from supply over the next few days."
"The Scottish government's resilience team are monitoring the situation as it develops and standing by to step up emergency response arrangements as necessary. He said it was "very hard" for the power companies to prevent disruption caused by the windy weather, adding: "What they have to do is make sure they can respond to it as quickly as possible."
"The power companies are also prepared to deal with any power cuts."
For most areas, the strongest winds will be from late morning and through the afternoon, although the eastern Highlands and north-east Scotland will see the strongest winds during the evening.For most areas, the strongest winds will be from late morning and through the afternoon, although the eastern Highlands and north-east Scotland will see the strongest winds during the evening.
The winds will be accompanied by blustery showers which will be heavy and prolonged over west and central Scotland, with snow on hills.The winds will be accompanied by blustery showers which will be heavy and prolonged over west and central Scotland, with snow on hills.
Some low impact coastal flooding is also expected along exposed western and northern coasts from Ayrshire and Arran to Shetland. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has 12 flood warnings in place for areas around Tayside.
It also has several flood alerts in place around the country. Some low impact coastal flooding could occur on exposed western and northern coasts from Ayrshire and Arran to Shetland.