Heavy rain to cause flooding and travel chaos across Scotland

Much of Scotland could face flooding and travel disruption amid a weather warning for heavy rain, the Met Office has said.

Road, rail and ferry services could be hit by cancellations and delays, with an initial yellow warning in place until 9pm on Friday stretching from western and north-eastern parts of the country to the Scottish Borders.

Forecasters warn homes and businesses could be flooded, while heavy rainfall has already forced the closure of the Old Military Road at the A83 in Argyll.

With numerous weather warnings issued for heavy #rain over the coming days, here is a closer look at the rainfall forecast for today and Saturday

Stay #WeatherAware pic.twitter.com/70WTa6S7IN

— Met Office (@metoffice) February 19, 2021

Further warnings for rain are in place for central and western parts of Scotland over the weekend.

The Met Office said 20-40mm of rain is likely quite widely, with 50-60mm possible over some hilly areas.

It added: “Further snowmelt is likely across the southern Highlands, contributing to the flood risk.”

Police Scotland is urging caution on a stretch of road alongside Loch Lomond due to the conditions.

Persistent heavy rainfall at the Rest and Be Thankful has meant the Old Military Road will be closed overnight from 6pm on Friday.

All traffic will be diverted between Tarbet and Inveraray on the A82, A85 and A819.

Police say water is running off the hillside on to the A82 north of Luss to Tarbet, and they urge motorists to take care.

Meanwhile, Network Rail has closed the line between Dundee and Perth due to flooding, with engineers sent to the site.

Services have also been halted between Perth and Dunkeld after heavy rain.

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