The Met Office has issued a fresh weather warning for rain, cautioning about potential “further flooding” and disruptions to travel in four specific regions.
Effective from midnight on Saturday until 9 am on Sunday, the yellow alert covers areas in the east of Scotland. Concerns include the possibility of flooding in residences and businesses, as well as potential disruptions to bus and train services, along with delays in journey times due to spray and flooding on roads. Individuals are advised to plan their travels in advance and prepare for potential power outages by gathering essential items such as torches, batteries, and a mobile phone power pack.
After a prolonged period of heavy rainfall over the region lasting three days, with some areas experiencing over 100 mm of rain, the Met Office forecasts another day of continuous and occasionally heavy rain before easing off on Saturday night.
Anticipated additional rainfall in the affected areas ranges from 20mm to 30mm, with isolated spots potentially receiving up to 50mm of rain.
This new warning is an extension of the previous yellow rain warning issued for eastern Scotland on Wednesday, which remains in effect until the end of the day. The earlier warning also encompassed Aberdeen, Highland, and additional areas in Central, Tayside & Fife: Dundee, Fife, and Stirling.
Simultaneously, a separate yellow alert for rain and wind is currently active until 9 am on Saturday in parts of southwest England and south Wales, where heavy rainfall and strong winds are expected to lead to flooding and travel disturbances.
The Met Office’s forecast for Saturday includes predictions of rain and hill snow in the northeast gradually easing, while showers are likely to merge into longer spells of rain, especially in the southwest. Widespread windy conditions with coastal gales are expected.
Looking ahead to Sunday through Tuesday, the Met Office foresees continued unsettled weather, with bands of rain moving northward and eastward across the country. Temperatures are expected to drop gradually from the northeast, increasing the risk of snowfall, particularly over northern hills.