Warning: Amber

To expect: Rain

Affected areas: Central, Tayside and Fife, Grampian

Start time estimate: Thursday midnight

End time estimate: Thursday 6pm

The Met Office has announced an Amber rain alert for Central, Tayside and Fife as well as Grampian for Thursday. All local areas affected are listed below.

The regions should prepare for adverse weather, with significant rainfall starting on Thursday at around midnight and continuing until 6pm.

The Amber warning for rain was issued at 4:46pm on Wednesday, January 21.

A Met Office forecast said: “Rain will be persistent and heavy during Thursday with widespread accumulations of 60-80 mm likely and as much as 100-120 mm over high ground. Event totals since Wednesday evening may exceed 150 mm in a few places. This is expected to lead to some surface water and river flooding across the area. This Amber warning indicates where there is greater likelihood of medium level impacts due to mainly river flooding, with the Yellow warning covering a wider area and longer time period.”

What to expect

Homes and businesses are likely to be flooded, causing damage to some buildings; Fast flowing or deep floodwater is likely, causing danger to life; Delays and some cancellations to train and bus services are likely; Spray and flooding probably leading to difficult driving conditions and some road closures; A good chance some communities will be cut off by flooded roads.

What should you do during torrential rain?

Keep yourself and others safe; prepare to avoid travelling by road during potentially dangerous road conditions. If you must travel, ensure you watch for possible danger and drive cautiously. It is not safe to drive, walk or swim through floodwater, avoid it where possible and if you are affected by fast flowing or deep-water call 999, and wait for help. Preparing a flood kit could save you from loss or damage due to flooding to your home or business. In your flood kit have: insurance and any other important documents; a torch & spare batteries; a first aid kit, prescription medicines and supplies for looking after your family members or pets; and warm, waterproof clothes, blankets, food and water. Consider checking on vulnerable people that you know including older people, those with underlying conditions and those who live alone; they may need support with food and medical supplies. If you are worried about your health or that of somebody you know, ring NHS 111. Stay up to date with the weather forecast for your area and follow advice from emergency services and local authorities For further details see Met Office Warnings & Advice.

Full list of local regions affected

Central, Tayside and Fife
Angus, Perth and Kinross

Grampian
Aberdeenshire

What is an amber 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 Amber weather alert for rain will remain in place until 6pm on Thursday.