Warning: Yellow

To expect: Rain

Affected areas: Central, Tayside and Fife, Highlands and Eilean Siar, SW Scotland, Lothian Borders, Strathclyde

Start time estimate: Saturday noon

End time estimate: Sunday 11pm

The Met Office has issued an updated Yellow rain alert for several regions across the UK for Saturday and Sunday.

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

The regions should prepare for substantial rainfall, starting on Saturday at around noon and ending Sunday at 11pm.

The updated Yellow warning for rain was issued at 10:09am on Sunday, December 14.

A Met Office forecast said: “After a short respite, further outbreaks of heavy rain will affect much of western Scotland at times for the rest of Sunday, before clearing late on Sunday evening. Another 15-25mm is expected quite widely, with a few hilly areas in the West Highlands seeing another 30-50mm. This will bring weekend accumulations to 100mm in the wettest spots. Strong and gusty southwesterly winds will accompany the rain.”

What to expect

Bus and train services probably affected with journey times taking longer; Spray and flooding on roads probably making journey times longer; Some interruption to power supplies and other services likely; Flooding of a few homes and businesses is likely.

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
Clackmannanshire, Falkirk, Fife, Perth and Kinross, Stirling

Highlands and Eilean Siar
Highland

SW Scotland, Lothian Borders
Scottish Borders, West Lothian

Strathclyde
Argyll and Bute, East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow, Inverclyde, North Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire

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 place until 11pm on Sunday.