The Met Office has issued a significant 54-hour weather warning, urging residents in parts of Scotland to prepare for a prolonged period of disruptive downpours.
Warning Details and Affected Regions
The national forecaster has activated a yellow warning for rain, which will be in force from 6pm on Wednesday, 21 January 2026, until the end of Friday, 23 January. The alert covers substantial areas of central and eastern Scotland.
According to the Met Office, rain will be intermittent at first on Wednesday before turning persistent and heavy, particularly over higher ground. This intense rainfall is expected to continue through Thursday and potentially into Friday, creating a heightened risk of localised flooding and travel disruption.
Areas Under the Yellow Alert
The warning spans several key regions. Residents and travellers in the following areas should stay vigilant:
- Central, Tayside & Fife: Angus, Dundee, Fife, Perth and Kinross, Stirling.
- Grampian: Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Moray.
- Highlands & Eilean Siar: Highland.
Preparing for Persistent Rainfall
In response to the forecast, authorities are advising the public to take precautionary steps. Experts recommend stocking up on three key essentials to weather the storm safely: a supply of fresh water, necessary medications, and non-perishable food items in case of travel issues or localised flooding affecting supply chains.
The Met Office emphasises that this volume of rain falling on already saturated ground could lead to flooding in some areas. People living in flood-prone locations should have a plan in place and monitor local updates closely.
This developing situation serves as a reminder for all in the affected regions to check the latest forecasts, plan journeys carefully, and heed any advice from local emergency services during the warning period.
