Severe gales set to batter Scotland in aftermath of hurricane

Storms: High winds and strong winds expected across Scotland.Kenny McCubbin

Strong winds and heavy rain are set to sweep across parts of Scotland on Thursday night.

Road and ferry users have been warned of possible travel disruption across Scotland as a result of the weather.

The first storm of the autumn is expected to hit the country on Thursday and Friday as the remnant of ex-Hurricane Michael and Leslie pass over Iceland and blow winds across Scotland.

STV weatherman Sean Batty predicts that the storm will cause travel disruption such as ferry cancellations and bridge closures.

He said: "During Thursday and Friday ex-hurricane Michael and Leslie will pass over Iceland, although the effects of the winds will be felt across Scotland.

"Winds will begin to pick up across Scotland during Thursday with strongest winds set to pass over the country during the evening through to Friday morning. We can expect winds to reach 60mph or more across northern and north western parts of the country, including the Highlands and Islands, with gusts widely around 40-50mph across Scotland. Winds over the mountains will exceed 100mph in places.

"This is likely to cause disruption with ferry cancellations and delays, while bridge closures/restrictions are expected to be in place on Friday morning. Winds of this magnitude at this time of year with trees still in full leaf are likely to bring down branches and uproot trees with the ground being so soft after such a wet summer."

Sean added: "Winds are also expected to become fairly strong for a time through the central lowlands, including Glasgow and Edinburgh, with gusts of up to 50mph and over for a time on Thursday evening.

"The storm is expected to bring some very heavy rain with the worst of this expected around the Lochaber and Wester Ross areas."

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