Warning: Yellow

To expect: Wind

Affected areas: Central, Tayside and Fife, Grampian, Highlands and Eilean Siar, Orkney and Shetland, Strathclyde

Start time estimate: Wednesday midnight

End time estimate: Wednesday 10pm

Storm Bram triggers the Met Office to issue a Yellow wind warning for Central, Tayside and Fife, Grampian, Highlands and Eilean Siar, Orkney and Shetland and Strathclyde across the UK for Wednesday.

The warning is covering parts of Central, Tayside and Fife, Grampian, Highlands and Eilean Siar, Orkney and Shetland, Strathclyde. All local areas affected are listed below.

Intense winds are set to hit the regions on Wednesday at around midnight. The strong winds are expected to continue sweeping through the areas until 10pm.

The Yellow alert for wind was announced at 11:01am on Tuesday, December 9.

A Met Office forecast said: “Very strong southwesterly winds, associated with Storm Bram, will continue into the early hours of Wednesday, with gusts fairly widely of 60-70 mph, and 80-90 mph in parts of west and northwest Scotland. Winds will ease somewhat inland into Wednesday morning, although it will remain very windy across the Hebrides and western coast. However, another spell of strong westerly winds will develop for a few hours through the afternoon, with gusts widely 50-60 mph inland, and 70-80 mph along exposed coasts and high ground of the Outer Hebrides, northwest mainland and Orkney. This may exacerbate any clean-up operations. Winds will gradually ease in all areas through Wednesday evening.”

What to expect

Injuries and danger to life from flying debris are possible; Some damage to buildings, such as tiles blown from roofs, could happen; Road, rail, air and ferry services may be affected, with longer journey times and cancellations possible; Some roads and bridges may close; Power cuts may occur, with the potential to affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage; Injuries and danger to life could occur from large waves and beach material being thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties.

What should you do during strong gusts?

Prepare to protect your property and people from injury.

Check for loose items outside your home and plan how you could secure them. Items include: bins, garden furniture, trampolines, tents, sheds, and fences.

Give yourself the best chance of avoiding delays by checking road conditions if driving, or bus and train timetables, amending your travel plans if necessary.

People cope better with power cuts when they have prepared for them in advance. It’s easy to do: consider gathering torches and batteries, a mobile phone power pack and other essential items.

If you are on the coast, stay safe during stormy weather by being aware of large waves. Even from the shore large breaking waves can sweep you off your feet and out to sea.

Take care if walking near cliffs; know your route and keep dogs on a lead. In an emergency, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

Be prepared for weather warnings to change quickly. When a weather warning is issued, the Met Office recommends staying up to date with the weather forecast in your area.

For further details see Met Office Warnings & Advice.

Full list of local regions affected

Central, Tayside and Fife
Angus, Perth and Kinross, Stirling

Grampian
Aberdeenshire, Moray

Highlands and Eilean Siar
Eilean Siar, Highland

Orkney and Shetland
Orkney Islands

Strathclyde
Argyll and Bute

What is a yellow weather warning?

The Met Office has three categories of weather warning, depending on the likely impact of severe weather and also how likely it is to strike in a particular area.

A yellow warning is issued when weather conditions are expected to disrupt travel and traffic and may impact on daily routines but are not likely to pose a risk to life or property.

An amber warning is more severe and advises people to think about changing their plans to minimise the risk.

A red warning means weather conditions are expected to be dangerous with widespread damage to property and a risk to life, with the public usually advised to avoid travelling.

The Yellow weather alert for wind will remain in place until 10pm on Wednesday.