Amber weather warning issued as heavy rain with 'danger to life' forecast to batter parts of Scotland

Met Office have issued an amber warning as heavy persistent rain is set to hit parts of Scotland over the weekend.

The warning has been issued for Sunday, December 15, starting from midnight and lasting until 11:59pm.

Forecasters confirmed that the warning covers the Highlands, as well as Argyll and Bute.

The heaviest rain will be focused on west-facing hills with the Met Office predicting that some places may see around 200mm of rainfall, while other areas may see 100 to 150mm of rain.

The significant rainfall also has the potential to trigger shallow landslides and debris flows, most likely across the south of the Highland region and Argyll.

Forecasters have warned that fast flowing and deep floodwater is likely in the affected areas, creating a “danger to life”.

Flooding is also likely to lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures.

ScotRail has announced that speed restrictions will be implemented on certain lines due to the heavy rain.

Insight Sean Batty STV Meteorologist

“This weekend our air will be coming all the way from North Africa and the Canaries which means we’re in for some very mild conditions with high reaching around 15C in parts of Moray and Aberdeenshire.

“This warmer air will also be gathering a lot of moisture as it crosses the Atlantic and emptying a lot of it over the west Highlands on Saturday and Sunday.

“The wettest conditions look like they’ll be over Ardnamurchan, Lochaber, Lorn and Lochcarron where between 100-150mm could fall. The wettest spots could see as much as 200mm, which is about a month’s worth of rainfall.

“The worst of the rain will ease south into Monday as colder air starts to spread in from the north.”