Parts of Scotland face a danger to life warning this weekend as forecasters predict up to 130mm of rain and winds reaching 70mph across the UK. The Met Office has issued an amber alert for south-west Scotland from midnight Saturday through Sunday evening, with yellow warnings covering much of western Scotland, Northern Ireland, and north-west England.
The amber warning covers parts of Ayrshire, Dumfries and Galloway, South Lanarkshire, and the Scottish Borders. Forecasters expect 50 to 70mm of rain widely across the region, with up to 130mm possible in the Galloway Hills and Southern Uplands. Strong and gusty south-westerly winds will compound conditions throughout Sunday.
Cumbria faces even more extreme conditions, with over 200mm of rain predicted to accumulate during the 48-hour period. Coastal areas across affected regions could experience winds reaching 60 to 70mph.
Flooding and power risks
The Met Office warned of «danger to life» from fast-flowing or deep floodwaters. Forecasters cautioned that flooding to homes and businesses is likely, along with «possible power cuts and loss of other services».
The Environment Agency has issued one flood warning for the River Derwent at Buttercrambe Mill, where flooding is expected, and 35 flood alerts across England where flooding remains possible. Scotland's environmental agency Sepa issued a flood warning for agricultural land along Glen Lyon Valley.
Jonathan Day, flood duty manager at the Environment Agency, said: «Significant surface water flooding impacts are possible in parts of the north of England on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.»
Major transport disruption
ScotRail has cancelled all trains between Kilmarnock and Dumfries on Sunday. The rail operator announced on social media: «As a safety precaution, speed restrictions will come into force along sections of our Oban, Fort William, Mallaig and Kyle of Lochalsh routes.» The restrictions began at 6pm Saturday evening and remain until 9am Monday, meaning journey times will take longer.
Speed restrictions also affect the West Coast Main Line, routes from Cathcart to Neilston, Bellshill to Kirknewton, Port Glasgow to Wemyss Bay, Kilwinning to Largs, and the West Highland Line.
Ferry operator CalMac has cancelled a number of services in western Scotland due to strong winds. Forecasters warned there is a «good chance» some communities could be cut off by flooded roads.
Official travel advice
Fiona Hyslop, Scotland's transport secretary, urged people to plan ahead: «It's important people plan their journeys before they set off. Motorists should make sure their routes are available, follow the travel advice from Police Scotland and drive in accordance with the conditions.»
She added: «If you are planning to travel by train, ferry or plane, please check with your operators to see if the conditions are having any impact on your services.»
Superintendent Andrew Barclay from Police Scotland's Road Policing Unit advised motorists to «drive to the conditions and be aware of increased stopping distances». He recommended planning alternative routes and carrying essential supplies including fuel, warm clothing, food, water, and a charged mobile phone.
Police Scotland has advised avoiding non-essential travel in affected areas. Forecasters warned of «potentially dangerous road conditions» with spray creating difficult driving conditions.
Recent Storm Bram impact
The severe weather warnings come just days after Storm Bram, the second named storm of the season, brought amber wind warnings to north-west Scotland. That storm toppled HGVs on the M74, causing its closure between junctions 12 and 13 near Abington in South Lanarkshire on Tuesday evening. Fallen trees and damaged overhead cables disrupted rail travel, while over 1,000 properties lost power. Wind gusts reached 76mph on South Uist in the Western Isles.
Wider UK conditions
Rebekah Hicks, Met Office chief meteorologist, said: «The north west of the UK is set for a very wet weekend. We have issued numerous severe weather warnings for rain, and it is possible that these could be upgraded so I'd advise people to keep an eye on the forecast and for Met Office weather warnings.»
Northern Ireland expects persistent rainfall throughout Sunday, easing by Monday morning. The Met Office forecast 20 to 30mm widely, with over 50mm across higher ground. Belfast City Council and Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council have made sandbags available to residents.
Floods Minister Emma Hardy said: «I'm in continual contact with the Environment Agency as heavy rainfall is forecast for parts of the north of England, especially Cumbria, this weekend.» She is coordinating with local authorities and emergency services to ensure community safety.
The southern half of Britain will see markedly different conditions, with dry and bright weather, calmer winds, and patches of frost, mist and fog on Saturday morning.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
