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| Winds and wave warning as 'weather bomb' hits Scotland | Winds and wave warning as 'weather bomb' hits Scotland |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| Severe gales and flooding are expected to cause disruption as a so-called "weather bomb" batters Scotland. | Severe gales and flooding are expected to cause disruption as a so-called "weather bomb" batters Scotland. |
| Met Office amber "be prepared" warnings are in place for the west coast and the Highlands and islands. | Met Office amber "be prepared" warnings are in place for the west coast and the Highlands and islands. |
| A yellow "be aware" warning covers the rest of the country. | A yellow "be aware" warning covers the rest of the country. |
| Ferry, rail and road services were disrupted on Tuesday as winds strengthened. Waves of up to 40ft have been forecast and flood warnings are also in place. | Ferry, rail and road services were disrupted on Tuesday as winds strengthened. Waves of up to 40ft have been forecast and flood warnings are also in place. |
| The rapid cyclogenesis - known colloquially as a "weather bomb" - is a deep, low-pressure system moving slowly eastwards between Scotland and Iceland. | The rapid cyclogenesis - known colloquially as a "weather bomb" - is a deep, low-pressure system moving slowly eastwards between Scotland and Iceland. |
| Stornoway Coastguard has warned that the sea state could become "phenomenal", the term used to describe the worst conditions. | Stornoway Coastguard has warned that the sea state could become "phenomenal", the term used to describe the worst conditions. |
| All schools, nurseries, libraries and council sports facilities in the Western Isles will remain closed on Wednesday. | All schools, nurseries, libraries and council sports facilities in the Western Isles will remain closed on Wednesday. |
| The Skye Bridge has been closed for most of the morning but is currently open to cars only. | |
| The Forth Road Bridge, and Tay Road Bridge are closed to high-sided vehicles and there are warnings on the Erskine, Kessock and Dornock bridges. | |
| Traffic Scotland said all trunk roads were open but warned drivers to take care. | |
| Many ferries have been cancelled including the Ardrossan to Brodick crossings, Kennacraig to Islay, Barra to Eriskay and Stornoway to Ullapool. | |
| All sailings on the Largs-Cumbrae service have also been cancelled due to high winds. | |
| Network Rail said the vast majority of the train network would be running but they had withdrawn services in the more exposed areas such as coastal routes and the far north line up towards Wick and Thurso. | |
| A number of rail services have been withdrawn. No trains will run on the following lines: | |
| Inspector Bryan McGeogh from Police Scotland said: "I would advise people to travel with caution across the country. | Inspector Bryan McGeogh from Police Scotland said: "I would advise people to travel with caution across the country. |
| "Very high winds are expected which could impact on the road network, rail travel, ferries and bridges and driving in these conditions could be particularly hazardous." | "Very high winds are expected which could impact on the road network, rail travel, ferries and bridges and driving in these conditions could be particularly hazardous." |
| The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) said the "exceptionally strong winds and tidal surge" were expected to produce unusually high tides and large waves along the west coast of Scotland. | The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) said the "exceptionally strong winds and tidal surge" were expected to produce unusually high tides and large waves along the west coast of Scotland. |
| Check out the latest travel news for Scotland | Check out the latest travel news for Scotland |
| For the latest on the roads visit the BBC's travel news page and keep up to date with incidents and roadworks on the motorways here. | For the latest on the roads visit the BBC's travel news page and keep up to date with incidents and roadworks on the motorways here. |
| Around the country you can check for updates from: | Around the country you can check for updates from: |
| Alternatively, for regular travel bulletins listen live to BBC Radio Scotland and follow @BBCTravelScot. | Alternatively, for regular travel bulletins listen live to BBC Radio Scotland and follow @BBCTravelScot. |
| In times of severe disruption you can also follow the BBC Scotland severe weather Twitter list of key sources. | In times of severe disruption you can also follow the BBC Scotland severe weather Twitter list of key sources. |
| Below are a number of other traffic information sources. | Below are a number of other traffic information sources. |
| Richard Brown, head of hydrology at Sepa, said: "The Scottish Flood Forecasting Service predicts impacts are expected to continue throughout the week, with Wednesday forecast to experience the largest waves and greatest impacts due to the strength of tidal surges. | Richard Brown, head of hydrology at Sepa, said: "The Scottish Flood Forecasting Service predicts impacts are expected to continue throughout the week, with Wednesday forecast to experience the largest waves and greatest impacts due to the strength of tidal surges. |
| "There is a risk of significant flood impacts from wave overtopping and spray during this time, before large waves begin to lessen on Thursday." | "There is a risk of significant flood impacts from wave overtopping and spray during this time, before large waves begin to lessen on Thursday." |
| He added: "We would strongly encourage people to remain vigilant and be mindful of the conditions in their locality and when travelling, especially along more exposed coastal areas." | He added: "We would strongly encourage people to remain vigilant and be mindful of the conditions in their locality and when travelling, especially along more exposed coastal areas." |
| David Dickson, Network Rail route managing director for Scotland, said: "Safety has to be our first consideration during severe weather and we are withdrawing a limited number of services until the worst of the storms have passed." | David Dickson, Network Rail route managing director for Scotland, said: "Safety has to be our first consideration during severe weather and we are withdrawing a limited number of services until the worst of the storms have passed." |
| On Tuesday, ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne said the severe whether had caused "extensive disruption". | On Tuesday, ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne said the severe whether had caused "extensive disruption". |
| In Edinburgh, tourist attractions including the Christmas Big Wheel, outdoor ice rinks and the city's zoo were closed due to the bad weather. | In Edinburgh, tourist attractions including the Christmas Big Wheel, outdoor ice rinks and the city's zoo were closed due to the bad weather. |
| The RNLI said some of those involved in maritime activities have dubbed Wednesday "Black Wednesday" because of the severity of the conditions expected. | The RNLI said some of those involved in maritime activities have dubbed Wednesday "Black Wednesday" because of the severity of the conditions expected. |
| South Devon-based website Magicseaweed.com produces charts and swell models designed to help surfers pinpoint the best sites to enjoy their sport. | South Devon-based website Magicseaweed.com produces charts and swell models designed to help surfers pinpoint the best sites to enjoy their sport. |
| Its swell chart for Wednesday shows a large black area indicating swells of up to 40ft (12m). | Its swell chart for Wednesday shows a large black area indicating swells of up to 40ft (12m). |