The Met Office has issued a fresh series of severe weather warnings as persistent heavy rain continues to batter parts of the United Kingdom, leading to significant transport disruption and widespread flooding concerns. These alerts are expected to remain in force across various regions until Sunday, with authorities urging the public to exercise extreme caution.
Scotland Bears the Brunt of the Deluge
A Met Office yellow rain warning is currently active for Perthshire, the Stirling area, and sections of north-east Scotland until midnight on Friday. Furthermore, an extended warning has now been issued for a portion of this area, valid from midnight Friday through to 9am on Sunday. This alert specifically covers Angus, Perth and Kinross, Aberdeen, and Aberdeenshire.
Forecasters have warned of a concerning scenario, noting a "small chance of fast-flowing or deep floodwater causing danger to life." Rainfall accumulations of 30-60mm are anticipated widely inland, with the potential for 80-120mm over the highest ground exposed to brisk south-easterly winds. The already saturated ground, following recent rain and snow melt, significantly increases the risk of flooding in many locations.
Major Transport Networks Severely Impacted
The adverse conditions have caused substantial travel chaos. Perth and Kinross Council reported numerous road closures due to flooding as of 6am on Friday. Key affected routes include the A94 between the A93 Meikleour crossroads and A923 Bendochy crossroads, as well as the critical Queen’s Bridge in Perth.
Rail services are also facing severe restrictions. ScotRail has implemented speed limits on several major lines, including:
- The Inverness to Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Aberdeen routes
- The Glasgow to Dumfries line
- Services from Stranraer to Ayr and Kilmarnock
- The Glasgow to Mallaig and Oban lines
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has escalated its response, issuing a total of 22 formal flood warnings alongside seven flood alerts, indicating a high level of environmental risk.
Further Rainfall and Hazardous Conditions Forecast
Meteorologists predict that the rain will particularly affect eastern Scottish areas already grappling with recent heavy downpours, likely causing further flooding and ongoing travel disruption. Many locations are expected to receive an additional 20-30mm of rain, with some spots potentially seeing up to 50mm. Notably, at elevations above 400-500 metres, much of this precipitation is forecast to fall as snow.
Coastal areas, while expecting smaller rainfall totals, face the additional hazards of strong onshore winds and large waves, compounding the dangerous conditions.
Disruption Extends South of the Border
The severe weather is not confined to Scotland. A separate yellow warning for rain and wind is in effect for south-west England and southern Wales until 9am on Saturday. Forecasters attribute this to Storm Ingrid, which is bringing spells of heavy rain and strong winds across these regions throughout Friday, with conditions expected to ease by Saturday morning.
Widespread inland gusts of 45-50mph are predicted, potentially reaching up to 60mph near exposed coastlines. These winds are forecast to peak during Friday evening before gradually subsiding overnight and into Saturday.
Rescues and Government Response to the Crisis
The heavy rain already caused significant travel disruption in Scotland on Thursday, with many roads rendered impassable by flooding. Emergency services were required to conduct several rescues in Aberdeenshire. Firefighters rescued three individuals from stranded vehicles, including two people from a minibus on the B977 near Kintore and one person from a car near Banchory, both incidents occurring around 8.30am on Thursday.
In response to the escalating situation, the Scottish Government's Resilience Room convened on Thursday to coordinate the official response. Justice Secretary Angela Constance, who chaired the meeting, issued a stern public warning: "I would urge people to pay attention to flood alerts, weather forecasts, and to consider travel updates in their area."
With the weather warnings extended and further rainfall imminent, authorities across the UK are bracing for a weekend of continued disruption, urging residents to avoid unnecessary travel and stay informed via official updates.
