Warning: Yellow
To expect: Rain
Affected areas: Central, Tayside and Fife, Grampian, Highlands and Eilean Siar
Start time estimate: Wednesday 6pm
End time estimate: Friday 11pm
The Met Office has issued an updated Yellow rain warning for several regions across the UK from Wednesday to Friday.
The warning is covering parts of Central, Tayside and Fife, Grampian, Highlands and Eilean Siar. All local areas affected are listed below.
Persistent rain is forecast for the regions, expected to start at around 6pm on Wednesday and lasting until Friday at 11pm.
The updated Yellow alert for rain was announced at 10:33am on Tuesday, January 20.
A Met Office forecast said: “Rain, whilst intermittent at first on Wednesday, will become persistent and heavy over high ground later in the day, continuing into Thursday and potentially Friday. Rainfall accumulations of 30-60 mm are likely fairly widely inland, with as much as 80-120 mm possible over the highest ground exposed to the brisk southeasterly winds. Given the nature of the ground following recent rain and snow thaw, this may lead to some flooding in places. Rainfall totals will be smaller in coastal areas, but strong onshore winds and large waves at times will be additional hazards. In addition, rain will fall increasingly as snow over high ground, especially on Thursday and into Friday, adding to the uncertainty as to how quickly rivers may respond downstream.”
What to expect
There is a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded, causing damage to some buildings; There is a small chance of fast flowing or deep floodwater causing danger to life; Where flooding occurs, there is a slight chance of delays or cancellations to train and bus services; There is a small chance that some communities will become cut off by flooded roads; There is a slight chance of power cuts and loss of other services to some homes and businesses; Spray and flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures.
What should you do during heavy downpours?
Check if your property could be at risk of flooding. If so, consider preparing a flood plan and an emergency flood kit.
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.
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 areas affected
Central, Tayside and Fife
Angus, Dundee, Fife, Perth and Kinross, Stirling
Grampian
Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Moray
Highlands and Eilean Siar
Highland
What is an updated 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 rain will remain in effect until 11pm on Friday.