72mph gales and rain hit Scotland

Sep 25 2012

Heavy rain and winds of up to 72mph have caused disruption across Scotland but the worst of the weather has passed, forecasters said.

The stormy weather cut off power to around 2,000 homes, forced some schools to close in the east of the country while ferries and rail services were cancelled and delayed.

Aberdeen City Council said it had received dozens of calls about fallen trees which caused roads in the city centre to close, including Union Terrace and Willowbank Road.

Drivers were also warned to take extra care on the Esplanade after sand and water was blown on to the road.

In Dundee a driver suffered minor injuries after a tree came down and hit a car on Arbroath Road near Baxter Park.

Victoria Kettley, a forecaster with MeteoGroup, the weather division of the Press Association, said: "There were gales of up to 72mph in the north east but the strongest of the winds have now passed. It will still remain breezy though with some winds of around 30mph lingering in areas.

"The heavy rain that has caused problems in the north of England is spiralling westwards but some heavy showers will arrive in the central belt of Scotland this evening and into the morning.

"Some areas could suffer localised flooding with around 5mm to 8mm of rain falling but generally it will be between 2mm and 5mm and should disperse by 3am on Wednesday."

Yellow "be aware" warnings issued by the Met Office remain in place for much of the country with rain expected to continue.

Seven flood warnings issued by the Scottish Environment Protection Service also remain in place in the Borders and the Lothians as some rivers burst their banks in the south of the country.