Yellow weather warnings for rain have been put in place for large parts of Scotland as the country prepares to be battered by Storm Claudio.
Much of the north and west coasts are to be hit with “very strong winds” on Wednesday and Thursday, while parts of the east are also to be subjected to blustery conditions.
Cautions over rain are to remain in place in the west throughout Wednesday, though conditions are expected to improve again on Friday.
Met Office forecasters warned gusts of “55 to 65mph are expected, especially in exposed coastal locations and over higher routes,” adding some sudden strong gusts of wind were “possible”.
They will be accompanied by a “heavy band of rain” which could cause travel disruption to ferry and train routes.
Chief Met Office meteorologist Neil Armstrong said: “30 to 40mm of rain is expected to fall in some areas, and where it falls over ground already wet from recent rainfall as well as fallen leaves there may be spray and flooding on the roads as well as travel delays.
“Much of the UK can expect a spell of strong southerly winds on Wednesday, but the warning area highlights where gusts of up to 65mph will be and therefore where there are likely to be some travel delays.”
ScotRail announced speed restrictions would be placed on certain routes as a result of inclement conditions.
STV meteorologist Sean Batty said the conditions, combined with a heavy leaf fall could pose dangerous travel conditions.
“After the wettest October on record, apart from the west of the country, November has started on a very unsettled note,” he added.
“Today, deep low-pressure systems will bring gusts of winds up to around 60mph for Southern Kintyre, Arran, Dumfries and Galloway, East Lothian and coastal parts of Aberdeenshire.
“Later this evening and overnight winds will pick up across the north west of the country with the most exposed parts of the Western Isles, Skye, North West Highlands and Orkney possibly seeing gusts up to 70mph.
“In addition to the strong winds today, there will also be bouts of heavy rain and with a large leaf fall at this time of year blocking drains. This will lead to localised flooding and bad driving conditions.
“Quieter weather will come in on Thursday and Friday with some good spells of sunshine, especially on Friday, although it will remain windy across the far north.
“The better weather doesn’t last with a return to heavy rain and stronger winds on Saturday.”
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