Scotland faces significant flooding risk as heavy rain combines with melting snow and rising temperatures. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) has issued three flood warnings and twelve flood alerts across the country, while transport infrastructure experiences major disruptions at the start of the working week.
The flood warnings are in force for Newton Stewart, Whitesands in Dumfries and Galloway, and the Churchill Barriers in Orkney. The twelve flood alerts affect much of the rest of Scotland.
David Morgan, Sepa's flood duty manager, said: «Continuing heavy rain, combined with melting snow, increases the risk of flooding. Flood risk is greatest in Dumfries and Galloway, and the west and north of Scotland.»
He warned: «Possible impacts could include flooding affecting parts of communities, low-lying land, transport infrastructure and individual properties. Driving conditions will be very difficult at times.»
Weather transition brings new risks
Matthew Lehnert, chief meteorologist for the Met Office, explained: «We'll see a transition in our weather across the UK through Sunday, with mild Atlantic air moving in from the west. Temperatures will rise and we'll see rain rather than snow accompanying some strong gusty winds in the north.»
The Met Office has yellow warnings in place for wind until 10am Monday and rain until 8am Monday, affecting most of north-western Scotland.
Lehnert added: «While the wintry weather may have come to an end, the significant snow accumulations in parts of Scotland mixed with heavy rainfall and an increase in temperatures bring a risk of flooding in some areas as the snow melts.»
Major transport disruption
Road closures include the A92 in both directions at Portlethen and the A83 at Rest & Be Thankful, where traffic is diverted via the Old Military Road with delays of around 20 minutes.
Euan Scott, Bear Scotland's north west representative, said: «The safety of road users is the priority for Bear Scotland and we closely monitor conditions at the Rest and Be Thankful on a daily basis. Heavy rainfall is expected throughout Sunday, which will increase saturation levels on the hillside.»
He explained the diversion decision: «We have therefore made the decision to utilise the Old Military Road as a proactive safety measure. The use of this route maintains access to the A83 corridor for the travelling public, keeping Argyll very much open for business with minimal delays of around 20 minutes.»
Bear Scotland plans to inspect the hillside thoroughly on Monday January 12 to determine when traffic can return to the A83.
Additional road restrictions are in place on the A78 at Portencross and Fairlie in North Ayrshire, the A8 at Port Glasgow in Inverclyde, and the A90 at Toll or Birness in Aberdeenshire. Ferry services have been cancelled at Oban, Troon, Mallaig, Ullapool, Raasay, Armadale, and Largs.
Government coordinates response
Angela Constance, Justice Secretary, said: «Ministers have now met in the Scottish Government Resilience Room for seven consecutive days, bringing together partners including Sepa, the Met Office, Police Scotland and local responders to ensure our response is co-ordinated.»
She urged vigilance: «Rising temperatures and heavy rainfall, combined with melting snow, bring a significant risk of flooding in several areas. This could affect properties and transport routes, with difficult driving conditions expected in many parts of the country at the start of the working week.»
Constance encouraged the public: «I would encourage everyone to keep a close eye on weather forecasts, flood alerts and travel advice for their area over the coming days. Please follow the updates from key agencies including the Met Office, Sepa and Police Scotland.»
Aberdeenshire maintains heightened response
Aberdeenshire Council has stood down its major incident declaration after responding to five amber weather warnings over two weeks. However, Jim Savege, the council's chief executive, said: «Whilst we have stood down our major incident, we are still very conscious that there is more to do before we are back to normal.»
He explained: «There is a significant risk of flooding on our networks as the snow melts, and there is a forecast for more snow, rain and high winds – all this means the council will continue to work with a heightened state of emergency response.»
Highland schools and many Aberdeenshire Council schools are expected to reopen on Monday.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
