The Met Office’s amber weather warning is in place until midnight tonight, with yellow warnings carrying into tomorrow.
Scots are being urged to make sure they prepare their ‘essential’ items as Storm Bram sweeps through the country, with gusts up to 90mph in parts of the Highlands. The Met Office has issued a “danger to life” warning as the country is hit with “very strong and disruptive winds”.
Central and the south west of Scotland are currently sitting in a yellow rain warning, which began at 6am this morning (December 9). The forecaster warns that heavy rain could cause travel disruptions and a chance of flooding as 20-30mm of rain is expected to fall until midday.
The Met Office states: “A spell of heavy rain is expected to move north across the Central Belt during Tuesday morning. Many areas are expected to see 20-30 mm of rain, most of which will fall in a 4-6 hour period. A few places over higher ground may see 40-50 mm.”
As the rain is seen to settle, the whole of Scotland is set to be hit with strong winds at 12pm on Tuesday into Wednesday morning. Scots are being warned that road, rail, air and ferry services could be hit with longer journey times and even cancellations.
While power cuts may also occur, which could have an impact on mobile phone coverage, the Met Office has also issued an injury and “danger to life” warning as large waves could hit sea fronts and coastal roads. With gusts expected to hit between 60-70mph Scots are being urged to protect their properties and amend travel plans.
However, by 4pm this afternoon, an amber weather warning is expected to hit the north west of Scotland, with Scots being warned that Storm Bram could make travel conditions dangerous. If you do need to travel, the Met Office is urging people to bring an emergency kit.
The amber warning reads: “A short spell of very strong southwesterly winds are expected to develop as Storm Bram passes close to northwest Scotland on Tuesday evening and night.
“Gusts of 70-80 mph are expected for a few hours with a chance that a few places may experience gusts of up to 90 mph. Heavy rain will accompany these strong winds and may exacerbate impacts.”
With gusts reaching up to 90mph in some areas, the forecaster warns that the “very strong and disruptive winds” could cause travel cancellations, power cuts, and damage to buildings, with flying debris causing a danger to life.
Before travelling, Scots are being urged to check road conditions and to ensure that you have essentials stored in your car in case of an emergency. This includes warm clothing, food, water, a blanket, a torch, and an in-car phone charger.
Additionally, the national forecaster is urging people to be prepared ahead of potential power cuts. This includes gathering torches and batteries, a mobile phone power pack and any other essential items you may need while the power is out.
Met Office chief forecaster, Dan Suri, said: “Storm Bram will bring a very wet and windy spell of weather, with very strong winds and further heavy rain which falling over saturated ground, could cause flooding impacts.
“Within the Amber wind warning over northwest Scotland, gusts of up to 90 mph could be recorded. More widely, gusts of 50-60 mph, and perhaps 70 mph in a few spots, are expected across Wales, southwest England and Northern Ireland.”
Looking across the UK, he added: “Rain is an additional impact from Storm Bram, with the possibility of 100mm over higher ground in the south of Wales and parts of Devon. This could require updates to warnings, so it’s important to stay up to date with the forecast in your area, as well as any flood warnings from your local environment agency.”
As Storm Bram progresses, Scots need to be prepared for weather warnings to change quickly. Therefore, it is important to stay up-to-date with the forecast in your area.
