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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Warning of heavy rain and flooding issued for Scotland | Warning of heavy rain and flooding issued for Scotland |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The Met Office has issued an amber "be prepared" weather warning for Inverness and areas surrounding Loch Ness. | The Met Office has issued an amber "be prepared" weather warning for Inverness and areas surrounding Loch Ness. |
| A yellow "be aware" warning has been issued for the rest of the Highlands, Strathclyde and Tayside. | A yellow "be aware" warning has been issued for the rest of the Highlands, Strathclyde and Tayside. |
| Persistent, heavy rain has been forecast for the area from Friday night until Sunday morning. | Persistent, heavy rain has been forecast for the area from Friday night until Sunday morning. |
| Flood alerts have been issued for Easter Ross and the Great Glen, Skye and Lochalsh, Argyll and Bute, central Scotland, Tayside and Spey Bay. | Flood alerts have been issued for Easter Ross and the Great Glen, Skye and Lochalsh, Argyll and Bute, central Scotland, Tayside and Spey Bay. |
| A flood warning has also been issued for Spey Bay and flood alerts for Wester Ross, and Caithness and Sutherland. | A flood warning has also been issued for Spey Bay and flood alerts for Wester Ross, and Caithness and Sutherland. |
| Analysis | Analysis |
| BBC Scotland's Judith Ralston explains the Foehn Effect | BBC Scotland's Judith Ralston explains the Foehn Effect |
| The west of Scotland is set to be hammered by heavy, persistent rain in the coming days because of weather fronts moving in from the Atlantic. | The west of Scotland is set to be hammered by heavy, persistent rain in the coming days because of weather fronts moving in from the Atlantic. |
| However, the east of the country will continue to escape largely dry, with the north east being bright and unseasonably mild. | However, the east of the country will continue to escape largely dry, with the north east being bright and unseasonably mild. |
| The weather pattern which produces those higher temperatures in the north east is known as the Foehn effect. | The weather pattern which produces those higher temperatures in the north east is known as the Foehn effect. |
| It's very common in Scotland due to our landmass, our mountain ranges and our close proximity to the sea. | It's very common in Scotland due to our landmass, our mountain ranges and our close proximity to the sea. |
| Read more. | Read more. |
| The Met Office amber and yellow warnings cover the period from 18:00 on Friday to 06:00 on Sunday. | The Met Office amber and yellow warnings cover the period from 18:00 on Friday to 06:00 on Sunday. |
| Police Scotland said the public should be "vigilant of persistent and heavy rainfall" from 18:00 on Friday. | Police Scotland said the public should be "vigilant of persistent and heavy rainfall" from 18:00 on Friday. |
| A spokesman added: "There are warnings of localised flooding along with surface water on roads with a strong possibility of disruption to public transport." | A spokesman added: "There are warnings of localised flooding along with surface water on roads with a strong possibility of disruption to public transport." |
| The heavy rain forms part of a weather mechanism known as the Foehn Effect, which has also been forecast to raise temperatures in north east Scotland to 16C. | The heavy rain forms part of a weather mechanism known as the Foehn Effect, which has also been forecast to raise temperatures in north east Scotland to 16C. |
| The average temperature in Scotland last month was 2.9C and the increase expected in some parts this weekend is due to a weather band crossing the Atlantic that originated in the Caribbean, forecasters said. | |
| The highest temperature recorded in the UK so far this year was 16.5C at Exeter Airport on 9 January. | |
| Possible disruption | |
| The Scottish government said it would monitor the weather over the weekend. | |
| Environment Minister Aileen McLeod said: "The forecast is for heavy and prolonged rainfall across parts of the north and west. The wet weather, combined with snow melt caused by very warm temperatures, is expected to cause river levels to rise, particularly in Lochaber and around the Great Glen as well as the Beauly, Conon, Ness and Upper Spey. | |
| "Members of the public should be alert to the risk of flooding in these areas and the potential for disruption." | |
| Transport Minister Derek Mackay warned about possible disruption, particularly between Fort William and Inverness. | |
| He added: "Our operating companies will be doing all they can to mitigate the effects of the storms by clearing drains and gullies but the extreme conditions mean that there is a chance of flooding on some routes. | |
| "Drivers should check conditions before they travel and leave some extra time for their journeys." |