Warning: Yellow

To expect: Rain

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

Start time estimate: Wednesday 6pm

End time estimate: Friday 7am

The Met Office has announced a Yellow rain warning for Central, Tayside and Fife, Highlands and Eilean Siar and Strathclyde from Wednesday to Friday.

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

The regions will be lashed by heavy rain, which is anticipated to start pouring on Wednesday at around 6pm before clearing on Friday 7am.

The Yellow alert for rain was announced at 11:36am on Monday, September 29.

A Met Office forecast said: “Rain is expected to be persistent across western Scotland lasting from Tuesday through to Thursday night allowing large rainfall totals to build up. The heaviest rain will be over hills and mountains although with pulses of heavier rain extending more widely at times, during Thursday in particular. From late Wednesday through to early Friday, 50-75 mm of rain is expected to build up widely with 100-150 mm over west facing mountains. From Tuesday through to early Friday, as much as 200-250 mm of rain is likely to build up over a few mountains. Later on Thursday and during Thursday night, rain will likely be accompanied by a spell of strong winds before rain eases across these areas for a time. However, there is the potential for another spell of wet and windy weather to soon follow on Friday.”

What to expect

Spray and flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures; Homes and businesses could be flooded, causing damage to some buildings; Some communities may be cut off by flooded roads; Delays or cancellations to train and bus services are possible; Possible power cuts and loss of other services to some homes and businesses; Fast flowing or deep floodwater is possible, causing a danger to life.

What should you do during heavy rainfall?

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
Perth and Kinross, Stirling

Highlands and Eilean Siar
Highland

Strathclyde
Argyll and Bute, Inverclyde, North Ayrshire, Renfrewshire, West Dunbartonshire

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 rain will remain in place until 7am on Friday.