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Scotland weather: High winds and flooding expected Scotland weather: High winds and flooding expected
(about 1 hour later)
The Met Office has upgraded its warnings for high winds across large areas of northern and western Scotland. Christmas travellers face disruption with winds gusting up to 90mph expected to hit parts of Scotland.
Amber "be prepared" weather warnings now cover the Inner and Outer Hebrides, the north west Highlands, Argyll and Bute, Orkney and Shetland. Amber "be prepared" warnings cover the Inner and Outer Hebrides, the north west Highlands, Argyll and Bute, Orkney and Shetland.
There have also been multiple warnings of flooding from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa).There have also been multiple warnings of flooding from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa).
More than 20 "flooding is expected, immediate action required" warnings have been issued.More than 20 "flooding is expected, immediate action required" warnings have been issued.
The greatest risk is for properties in the Borders.The greatest risk is for properties in the Borders.
Sepa said Wester Dawyck, Easter Happrew, and Altarstone on the River Tweed may be affected. Scottish Borders Council has set up sandbag stores near this warning area in Broughton Primary School and Peebles Fire Station.Sepa said Wester Dawyck, Easter Happrew, and Altarstone on the River Tweed may be affected. Scottish Borders Council has set up sandbag stores near this warning area in Broughton Primary School and Peebles Fire Station.
Sepa warned flooding on the Ettrick Water in the Ettrick Valley could hit properties in Ettrick and Angecroft as well as affecting Deephope and Hopehouse Caravan Parks.Sepa warned flooding on the Ettrick Water in the Ettrick Valley could hit properties in Ettrick and Angecroft as well as affecting Deephope and Hopehouse Caravan Parks.
The River Teviot is also causing concern with a "potential risk of flooding to property on Teviot Road, Teviot Crescent, and Laidlaw Terrace," as well as the Riverside Caravan Park and properties in Denholm.The River Teviot is also causing concern with a "potential risk of flooding to property on Teviot Road, Teviot Crescent, and Laidlaw Terrace," as well as the Riverside Caravan Park and properties in Denholm.
In Perthshire, around a dozen flood warnings have been issued, mainly for low-lying farmland, although there is a risk of flood water encroaching onto Aberfeldy caravan site and golf course.In Perthshire, around a dozen flood warnings have been issued, mainly for low-lying farmland, although there is a risk of flood water encroaching onto Aberfeldy caravan site and golf course.
There are also warnings for Helensburgh, Tarbert, Largs, Dumbarton and Renfrew.There are also warnings for Helensburgh, Tarbert, Largs, Dumbarton and Renfrew.
Travel disruptionTravel disruption
Early on Christmas Eve, a gust of 75mph was recorded on South Uist in the Western Isles.Early on Christmas Eve, a gust of 75mph was recorded on South Uist in the Western Isles.
The public has been told to prepare for "significant" travel disruption and the Met Office said power cuts were also possible.The public has been told to prepare for "significant" travel disruption and the Met Office said power cuts were also possible.
P and O Ferries has suspended sailings between the County Antrim port of Larne and Cairnryan in Dumfries and Galloway until further notice.P and O Ferries has suspended sailings between the County Antrim port of Larne and Cairnryan in Dumfries and Galloway until further notice.
A spokesman said it was unlikely that sailings would resume before lunchtime on Tuesday.A spokesman said it was unlikely that sailings would resume before lunchtime on Tuesday.
Forecasters said widespread gales were likely across the country, with gusts of 65mph to 75mph in many areas.Forecasters said widespread gales were likely across the country, with gusts of 65mph to 75mph in many areas.
But storm-force gusts of 80mph to 90mph are also possible, particularly towards the north west of the country later in the day, where there will also be frequent wintry showers.But storm-force gusts of 80mph to 90mph are also possible, particularly towards the north west of the country later in the day, where there will also be frequent wintry showers.
The Met Office amber warning for the period 06:00 to 23:59 on 24 December said: "A deep depression tracking north, to the west of Scotland, will bring a period of storm-force winds with gusts 80mph to 90mph later on Tuesday, to affect western Scotland and then into the Northern Isles.The Met Office amber warning for the period 06:00 to 23:59 on 24 December said: "A deep depression tracking north, to the west of Scotland, will bring a period of storm-force winds with gusts 80mph to 90mph later on Tuesday, to affect western Scotland and then into the Northern Isles.
"The public should be prepared for disruption, particularly to travel, as well as interruption to power supplies.""The public should be prepared for disruption, particularly to travel, as well as interruption to power supplies."
The bad weather has led to the cancellation of midnight mass in churches throughout the southern Hebrides.The bad weather has led to the cancellation of midnight mass in churches throughout the southern Hebrides.
BBC weather presenter Gillian Smart said: "An exceptionally deep area of low pressure to the Northwest of us will bring stormy conditions right across the country this Christmas Eve. Winds will continue to strengthen throughout the afternoon, with gusts of 60 to 70mph across many parts.BBC weather presenter Gillian Smart said: "An exceptionally deep area of low pressure to the Northwest of us will bring stormy conditions right across the country this Christmas Eve. Winds will continue to strengthen throughout the afternoon, with gusts of 60 to 70mph across many parts.
"Over the Isles and around exposed coasts, we could see storm force gusts of 80 or even 90mph, so further disruption to travel is likely, and there's a risk of power outages."Over the Isles and around exposed coasts, we could see storm force gusts of 80 or even 90mph, so further disruption to travel is likely, and there's a risk of power outages.
"There'll be frequent wintry showers in the mix too, with snow settling above about 200 metres. The gale force winds will lead to drifting and blizzards - extremely poor conditions likely on higher level roads like the A82 and the A9.""There'll be frequent wintry showers in the mix too, with snow settling above about 200 metres. The gale force winds will lead to drifting and blizzards - extremely poor conditions likely on higher level roads like the A82 and the A9."
Power suppliesPower supplies
Ferry operator CalMac said anyone intending to travel on its services over the holiday period should be as flexible as possible when planning their journeys.Ferry operator CalMac said anyone intending to travel on its services over the holiday period should be as flexible as possible when planning their journeys.
A spokesman said: "We have been advised that there will be prolonged periods of severe weather hitting Scotland over the next couple of weeks including the Christmas and New Year holiday period. As a result our services may experience cancellations and/or disruptions.A spokesman said: "We have been advised that there will be prolonged periods of severe weather hitting Scotland over the next couple of weeks including the Christmas and New Year holiday period. As a result our services may experience cancellations and/or disruptions.
"Due to the impact of this weather it is likely that our timetables and sailings will change at very short notice as we endeavour to maintain lifeline services."Due to the impact of this weather it is likely that our timetables and sailings will change at very short notice as we endeavour to maintain lifeline services.
"We would therefore ask customers to check the website for the latest information and be prepared to be flexible if at all possible. This may mean delays but also the possibility of some sailings being earlier than timetabled."We would therefore ask customers to check the website for the latest information and be prepared to be flexible if at all possible. This may mean delays but also the possibility of some sailings being earlier than timetabled.
"We fully appreciate that these disruptions will be inconvenient but the safety of passengers, crew and ships is our number one priority.""We fully appreciate that these disruptions will be inconvenient but the safety of passengers, crew and ships is our number one priority."
Power company Scottish Hydro said hundreds of engineers and support staff will be working in depots and offices across the network and will respond to any damages to the electricity network.Power company Scottish Hydro said hundreds of engineers and support staff will be working in depots and offices across the network and will respond to any damages to the electricity network.
Extra call handlers will also be working to give customers advice and to talk to anyone who may lose their electricity supply, it said.Extra call handlers will also be working to give customers advice and to talk to anyone who may lose their electricity supply, it said.
Rail disruptionRail disruption
Rail travel in Scotland is expected to become progressively more difficult in the course of the day.Rail travel in Scotland is expected to become progressively more difficult in the course of the day.
Network Rail spokesman Nick King told BBC Radio Scotland: "This morning in Scotland we're looking at a good service but as the afternoon goes on and the weather sweeps in, we may see some disruption.Network Rail spokesman Nick King told BBC Radio Scotland: "This morning in Scotland we're looking at a good service but as the afternoon goes on and the weather sweeps in, we may see some disruption.
"Between Kilwinning and Ardrossan strong winds and water coming off the coast and on to overhead power lines mean that we've had to turn the power off and put on a replacement bus service, so travel is still possible but by bus rather than train."Between Kilwinning and Ardrossan strong winds and water coming off the coast and on to overhead power lines mean that we've had to turn the power off and put on a replacement bus service, so travel is still possible but by bus rather than train.
"On cross-border routes, our colleagues down south are still dealing with the after-effects of yesterday's storm so there are trains running from Glasgow and Edinburgh to London and other locations but they may be subject to delay, and on the west coast Virgin are running a reduced timetable so that what does run gets to its final destination."On cross-border routes, our colleagues down south are still dealing with the after-effects of yesterday's storm so there are trains running from Glasgow and Edinburgh to London and other locations but they may be subject to delay, and on the west coast Virgin are running a reduced timetable so that what does run gets to its final destination.
"For people travelling later, the advice is the same as yesterday: we are expecting another band of extremely bad weather to move in this afternoon, so people should check before they travel.""For people travelling later, the advice is the same as yesterday: we are expecting another band of extremely bad weather to move in this afternoon, so people should check before they travel."