Scotland hit with heavy downpours as warning extended to southern parts 

Scotland has been hit with heavy rain showers with a yellow weather warning for western parts of the country being extended to cover south.

The Met Office said western parts of the country would see heavy rainfall from 6pm on Sunday, after a weather warning for Monday morning was brought forward by the forecaster.

The warning was extended on Monday to include southern parts around Dumfries and Galloway and the Borders with a further spell of rain expected to develop.

Around 20 to 40mm of rain is expected to fall within the warning area until 9pm on Monday, with Millport on Great Cumbrae registering 29.2mm on Sunday – the most in the UK.

Since Saturday night, the hills of North Ayrshire, with Camphill, just west of Kilbirnie, were inundated with 71mm of rain.

STV Meteorologist Sean Batty said: “Unfortunately, this spell of wet weather is not a one-off event. The jet stream is poised to bring more wind and rain over the next few weeks, potentially dampening the remainder of the school holidays.

“On Wednesday, we can expect more wet and windy weather, with up to 40mm of rain from frequent heavy showers in the Western Isles, Skye, Lochalsh, and Lochaber. Another showery period on Friday could bring an additional 20-30mm of rain to some western areas, accompanied by windy conditions.

“It’s fair to say that this week is not ideal for camping in the Hebrides, Argyll, and the West Highlands.

“Unfortunately, next week doesn’t look much better, with some computer models predicting autumnal weather systems heading towards the UK.

“As we transition into a period where remnants of tropical storms and hurricanes in the Atlantic can be dragged towards the UK, we may experience heavy rain and autumnal gales.”

Amey SW Trunk Roads advised drivers on the M8 that the eastbound on slip road from Castle Street has been restricted due to flooding.

The road which leads into Townhead in Glasgow was said to be “passable with care”.

Insight

Two weeks’ worth of rain falls over weekend in parts of Scotland

Sean Batty

The Rest and Be Thankful on the A83 was also closed on Sunday afternoon with traffic being diverted onto Old Military Road as a “precaution” with a decision to re-open expected on Tuesday.

Ian Stewart, BEAR Scotland’s North West Representative, said: “The forecast for heavy rain at the Rest and be Thankful will significantly increase saturation levels on the hillside.

“While we closely monitor the situation, we’ve decided to use the Old Military Road local diversion route as a proactive safety measure. Safety remains the priority and the use of this route will ensure the A83 corridor remains open for the travelling public, keeping Argyll very much open for business.

“Subject to the weather improving, we plan to inspect the hillside thoroughly on Tuesday morning and this will inform a decision to return traffic to the A83.”

Braemar in Aberdeenshire also recorded the lowest minimum temperature across the country on Sunday at 3.8 °C and the lowest maximum temperature was recorded in Dalwinnie at 14.0 °C.

The warning covers Argyll and Bute, East and South Ayrshire, East Renfrewshire, Renfrewshire, Dumfries and Galloway, Inverclyde, Perth and Kinross, Stirling, South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire, parts of the Highlands.

The forecaster warned of the possibility of flooding in some areas and spray on roads, with rainfall potentially totalling 75mm in certain areas.

Travel could be disrupted for commuters on Monday, with some early morning ferry services subject to disruption or cancellation, said Calmac.

Routes from Gourock to Dunoon and from Ardrossan to Brodick were among those facing alterations due to adverse weather and tidal conditions.

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