Weather alert issued for Christmas Eve over Scotland amid travel disruption

Weather warnings have been issued over Christmas for Scotland.

The west will see heavy rain and strong winds from midnight on Friday. While gale-force winds will batter the north of the country from Christmas Eve, the Met Office has said.

It comes as parts of Scotland are hit by blizzard conditions as snow showers and ice cause Christmas travel disruption.

The wind alert starts at midday on Sunday and is in effect until 3am on December 25.

Met Office

Met Office

It covers the whole of Scotland north of Perth.

Forecasters have warned of danger from flying debris, and damage to buildings.

It comes after the Met Office issued a yellow weather warning for snow and ice which will come into force from 9pm on Friday and until midday on Saturday.

The warning covers more northern parts of Scotland including Angus, Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Moray, the Highlands and Orkney Islands.

The Met Office warned conditions are likely lead to travel disruption as more people begin journeying for the festive season.

Forecasters said low level locations may see two to five cm of snow, whilst accumulations of 10-15 cm are likely for areas on higher grounds.

The Met Office warned that an additional but “temporary” hazard will be the chance of ice mainly over higher ground as snow turns to rain.

The warnings were issued on Thursday as Scotland was battered by 80mph winds as Storm Pia hit, closing schools and causing travel disruption.

Train services between Glasgow Central and Edinburgh via Shotts were delayed after a trampoline blew onto the line.

Network Rail via Supplied

The strong winds disrupted a majority of Britain’s domestic railway services and continued unsettled weather conditions will likely extend travel issues just days before Christmas.

Passengers hoping to travel from London Euston could continue to face disruption after services were cancelled on Thursday following damage to overhead electric wires.

The backlog from the suspension of cross-Channel rail services has begun to clear.

An unexpected strike by Eurotunnel French site staff on Thursday led to widespread disruption, before it came to end in the evening – with trade union representatives reaching an agreement with management.

The Rest and Be Thankful road remains closed in both directions after an overturned lorry was discovered during the blustery conditions.

The RAC estimated 13.5 million leisure journeys by car would take place across the UK between Friday and Sunday, up 20% on the three days before Christmas Day last year.

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