Flood warnings issued across Scotland amid forecast of strong winds and high tides

Multiple flood alerts and warnings have been issued across Scotland by the the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).

SEPA issued yellow warnings in the Western and Northern Isles of Scotland for Wednesday.

The warning states that minor coastal flooding impacts are “likely” in those areas.

STV Meteorologist, Sean Batty, said the warnings come after a new moon that increased the gravitational pull on the earth and making tides higher than normal.

There are 28 warnings in place across Scotland covering Aberdeenshire, Dumfries and Galloway, Western Isles and Orkney.

Central Scotland as well as areas such a Edinburgh, Dundee and Shetland also have alerts in place which are less severe.

According to Sepa, a flood alert is an “early indication” of potential flooding from rivers, the sea and surface water.

Insight Sean Batty STV Meteorologist

There was a new moon just the other day, and this means there’s more gravitational pull on the earth which means the tides at the moment are higher than normal.

This combined with strong west to south westerly winds on Wednesday could lead to some minor flooding issues in coastal areas of Shetland, Orkney and the Western Isles.

Tides peak around the Isle of Lewis in the morning, and around lunchtime in the Northern Isles. It’s during this time that any flooding will be most likely.