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Winds and wave warning as 'weather bomb' hits Scotland Winds and wave warning as 'weather bomb' hits Scotland
(35 minutes later)
Strong winds are causing disruption as a so-called "weather bomb" batters Scotland's west coast and far north.Strong winds are causing disruption as a so-called "weather bomb" batters Scotland's west coast and far north.
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.
A power cut has hit the whole of the Western Isles, with about 17,000 homes affected. SSE said the fault was with the subsea cable and should be repaired during the morning. A power cut has hit the whole of the Western Isles, with about 17,000 customers affected. SSE said the fault was with the subsea cable and should be repaired during the morning.
Hundreds of homes are also affected by power cuts on the Highland mainland in west Lochaber. Hundreds of homes are also affected by power cuts on the Highland mainland in west Lochaber. A power cut is also reported to be affecting Shetland.
Morven Smith from Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission said the Outer Hebrides lost power at 07:00 after really strong winds overnight.
She said they were hoping to restore electricity to all 17,500 customers from local power stations on Lewis and South Uist.
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.
Waves heights of up to 40ft are expected to batter the west coast between 06:00 and 15:00.
BBC Scotland is running a live page with all the latest updates throughout the day.BBC Scotland is running a live page with all the latest updates throughout the day.
The Stromness lifeboat has been called out after a Spanish fishing boat radioed in a Mayday after being hit by a large wave off the west coast of Orkney.The Stromness lifeboat has been called out after a Spanish fishing boat radioed in a Mayday after being hit by a large wave off the west coast of Orkney.
It is understood the wheelhouse windows of the trawler were smashed in the incident. The exact position of the fishing boat is not known but coastguards said that it would take the lifeboat some time to reach the vessel.It is understood the wheelhouse windows of the trawler were smashed in the incident. The exact position of the fishing boat is not known but coastguards said that it would take the lifeboat some time to reach the vessel.
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.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: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.
Richard Brown, head of hydrology at the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), told Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme that their systems were indicating flooding may not be as severe as predicted.
"I should say we have no major concerns over the larger rivers today, most of the rain is locked up as snow in the higher ground so the rivers shouldn't be a problem." he said.
"There will, of course, be localised flooding but our main focus is on coastal flooding."
Check out the latest travel news for ScotlandCheck 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.
"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."
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).