Tag: Met Office

RoSPA: Take extra care as Storm Chandra brings snow and rain 

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) is urging people to take immediate safety precautions as amber weather warnings are issued ahead of the arrival of Storm Chandra. 

Storm Chandra, the third major storm to affect the UK this month, is expected to bring a combination of damaging winds and heavy rainfall from Monday into Tuesday. The Met Office has issued an amber wind warning for eastern Northern Ireland, with coastal gales and gusts of up to 75mph likely, creating dangerous conditions and large waves that may overtop sea defences.  

An amber rain warning is also in place for south‑west England, where 30–50mm of rain is expected widely, rising to 60–80mm over higher ground, increasing the risk of flooding on already saturated land. 

RoSPA safety advice 

RoSPA advises the public to take immediate steps to reduce the risk of injury and disruption: 

  • Avoid unnecessary travel, especially in areas under amber warnings or where flooding is likely. 
  • Keep mobile phones and essential devices fully charged in case of power cuts.
  • Monitor official weather updates and follow instructions from local authorities. 
  • Secure outdoor items such as bins, signage and garden furniture to prevent damage or injury. 
  • Prepare a basic emergency kit with torches, batteries and non‑perishable food. 
  • Stay indoors during periods of severe weather and ensure windows and doors are securely shut. 
  • Check in on vulnerable neighbours, particularly those living alone or in rural areas. 

Driving safety during heavy rain and flooding 

RoSPA is reminding drivers that severe weather greatly increases the risk of road collisions: 

  • Heavy rain reduces visibility and can double stopping distances – slow down, allow extra space between your vehicle and the vehicle in front and plan manoeuvres early. 
  • Use windscreen wipers at all times in poor conditions, and use washers and dipped headlights as appropriate. 
  • Aquaplaning occurs when tyres lose grip on surface water – reduce speed, maintain correct tyre pressure and tread depth to avoid aquaplaning, and if it happens, ease off the accelerator and avoid harsh steering or braking until grip returns.
  • On flooded roads, avoid deep water near kerbs and never drive through water if the depth is uncertain. Find an alternative route.  

Rebecca Guy, Senior Policy Manager at RoSPA, said: “Storm Chandra is expected to bring hazardous conditions that significantly increase the risk of injuries, particularly from falls, flying debris and dangerous driving conditions.

“Taking simple precautions now – such as avoiding unnecessary travel, securing loose items and staying informed – can make a real difference in keeping people safe.” 

RoSPA is urging the public to prioritise safety and avoid taking unnecessary risks while severe weather warnings remain in place. 

‘Plan ahead and look out for each other’: Swinney plea as winter bites

Resilience room updated on impacts of snowfall

The Scottish Government’s Resilience Room (SGORR) convened yesterday to discuss ongoing efforts to recover from the recent heavy snow in northern Scotland and preparations for further snow and ice warnings.

The meeting was chaired by Justice Secretary Angela Constance and attended by First Minister John Swinney, Cabinet Secretaries, the Met Office, transport operators, Police Scotland, local authorities, resilience partnerships and utilities companies.

First Minister John Swinney has asked people to continue to follow advice on staying safe in winter and thanked those involved in supporting others.

Mr Swinney said yesterday: “The cumulative impact of the heavy snowfall across northern Scotland has been significant and there has been a huge effort to keep transport moving and public services open.

“At present, there is still some travel disruption but trunk roads are open and rail, ferry and air services are working to get back to normal as quickly as possible. Likewise many schools are closed today but remote learning is in place for young people, while contingency plans are in place for affected health and social care services.

“There will be further snow and ice, with yellow warnings in large parts of Scotland and temperatures set to remain cold, so impacts will continue to be felt in the coming days which could include transport problems and I would encourage everyone to plan ahead, look out for each other and pay close attention to  the range of weather and travel advice available.

“I want to thank everyone who has worked so hard, day and night, to keep Scotland open and moving. Public services have been collaborating well in sharing information and vehicles, while I have heard of truly exceptional efforts by farmers, volunteers and members of the public offering to clear local roads, dig out cars and keep people safe. That community spirit is truly heartening to hear.

“Ministers will continue to keep the situation under review.”

Assistant Chief Constable Alan Waddell said: “Local resilience partnerships are continuing to meet to co-ordinate and deliver the response to disruption experienced by communities in the north and north east of Scotland following heavy snowfall over the weekend.

“We have been working closely with resilience partners across local authorities, other emergency service partners, transport partners, NHS and health and social care partnerships, and other local organisations to support communities affected by adverse weather and keep public services open where possible.

“Some services may be impacted by adverse weather, and I would encourage the public to check on neighbours or relatives, if they are able to do so safely.

“Heavy snow and ice means driving conditions are likely to continue to be hazardous in some areas. Our advice is to plan ahead and consider if your journey is really necessary.

“If you need to travel, please fully clear your vehicle windows of snow and ice before you drive, drive to the conditions, be prepared for delays and allow extra time for your journey.”

Met Office weather warnings are available on the Met Office website.

Flood alerts are issued by the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency and can be viewed on their website. 

Advice on preparing for severe weather can be found on the Ready Scotland website.

Storm Bram: Safety warning issued amid amber flood, heavy rain and wind warnings  

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) is urging the public to take extra precautions ahead of Storm Bram, which is set to lash the UK with torrential rain and fierce winds.

Storm Bram is set to hit the UK on Tuesday and Wednesday, bringing severe winds and heavy rain. An amber warning for north-west Scotland predicts gusts up to 90mph, while saturated ground in Wales and south-west England increases the risk of flooding. These conditions could cause building damage and major transport disruption. 

Yellow warnings will also cover large parts of the UK, including Wales, south-west England, Northern Ireland, and Scotland, with gusts of 50-60mph and locally over 70mph. Combined with heavy rain, this poses significant safety risks, including hazardous travel, delays, and cancellations.   

RoSPA advises the public to take immediate steps to reduce the risk of injury and disruption:    

  • Avoid unnecessary travel, especially in areas under Amber warnings or where flooding is likely.  
  • Keep mobile phones and essential devices fully charged in case of power cuts.  
  • Monitor official weather updates and follow instructions from local authorities.  
  • Secure outdoor items such as bins, signage, and garden furniture to prevent damage.  
  • Prepare a basic emergency kit with torches, batteries, and non-perishable food.  
  • Stay indoors during periods of severe weather and ensure windows and doors are shut.  
  • Check in on vulnerable neighbours, particularly those living alone or in rural areas.  
      

Driving safety tips during heavy rain and flooding  
  

  • Rain reduces visibility and doubles stopping distances: slow down and plan manoeuvres early.  
  • Use windscreen wipers, washers, and dipped headlights at all times.  
  • Aquaplaning happens when tyres lose grip on surface water: reduce speed, maintain correct tyre pressure and tread depth. If it occurs, ease off the accelerator and brakes until grip returns.  
  • On flooded roads: avoid deep water near kerbs, don’t cross if depth is uncertain, and if you proceed, drive slowly in first gear, keep engine speed high, and test brakes after exiting water.  
  • Avoid flooded areas wherever possible.  

Steve Cole, Policy Director at RoSPA, said:  “Storm Bram isn’t just a risk outdoors; homes may be vulnerable too. Secure garden furniture, bins, and anything that could blow away or cause damage. Indoors, make sure windows and doors are firmly shut and keep an emergency kit ready.”  

“On the roads, your regular journey may be difficult. Rain doubles stopping distances and aquaplaning can happen in seconds. Slow down, keep your distance, and never attempt to drive through floodwater. These simple steps can help protect your home, your journey and keep communities safe.”  

This summer will ‘almost certainly’ be warmest on record for the UK

Provisional statistics from the Met Office show that summer 2025 will ‘almost certainly’ be the warmest summer on record for the UK.

It would move 2018 off the top spot and relegate 1976 out of the top five warmest summer in a series which dates back to 1884.

The UK’s mean temperature from 1 June to 25 August currently stands at 16.13°C, which is 1.54°C above the long-term meteorological average. At present, 2018 is the warmest summer since 1884, with a mean temperature of 15.76°C.  

Met Office scientist, Emily Carlisle, said: “Provisional Met Office statistics show that summer 2025 will almost certainly be the warmest summer on record. At present, mean temperature is tracking at 16.13°C. 

“The current record is 15.76°C, set in 2018. So, unless temperatures are around four degrees below average for the rest of August – which the forecast does not suggest – it looks like the current record will be exceeded.  

 “This would move 1976 out of the top five warmest summers since 1884, leaving all five warmest summers having occurred since the year 2000.

“Of course, there are still a few days left of meteorological summer to go, but it’s very unlikely anything will stop summer 2025 from being the warmest on record.”

Temperatures look closer to average for the remainder of August, with unsettled weather set to conclude meteorological summer.

What are the current top warmest summers?

The below shows the top 10 UK warmest summers since 1884, with the current (as of today) 2025 mean temperature.  

Chart showing top 10 warmest summers in UK

Consistently above-average temperatures  

Both June and July delivered consistently above-average temperatures, with England recording its warmest June on record, while Wales and the UK overall saw their third and second warmest Junes respectively. July continued the trend, making it the UK’s fifth warmest July on record. 

Four heatwaves so far 

Four heatwaves have occurred so far this summer and whilst this may be unusual, each has been short-lived and interspersed with near-average conditions. None of the heatwaves have forced the UK highest maximum temperature of the year to particularly high levels, with the highest temperature recorded to date for 2025 35.8°C in Faversham, Kent. This is well below the UK’s all-time high of 40.3°C set in July 2022. 

But it was warmer in 1976?

The summer of 1976 remains one of the most memorable in UK weather history. During this period, multiple locations across England recorded heatwave-like conditions lasting over two weeks. In 1976, there were 16 days in total in which temperatures exceeded 32°C. This compares to nine days recorded in 2025.

But, although 2025 hasn’t had such long-lived high temperature spikes, what is striking about this summer is the consistency of the warmth.

This persistent warmth is driven by a combination of factors including dry ground from spring, high-pressure systems, and unusually warm seas around the UK. These conditions have created an environment where heat builds quickly and lingers.

Both maximum and minimum temperatures have also been significantly above average, with minimum temperatures especially so.   

What about climate change?  

During the period 1991-2020, the mean summer temperature was 14.59°C, this is over 0.8°C more than the period 1961-1990. Climate projections show that future UK summers are going to become hotter and drier; a trend we are already witnessing.

Climate change has the power to turn previously unremarkable years into record-breaking ones, as baseline conditions steadily rise. This summer’s four heatwaves, which might once have passed as pleasant spells of warm weather, are made more prominent by the heightened backdrop that climate change creates.

Below average, but variable rainfall  

So far this summer, rainfall is tracking below average, with 72% of the of the whole summer’s long-term average recorded. At this point in the season, you’d expect 93%. There is of course much regional variation, with central, southern and eastern parts of England and Wales so far especially dry, whilst north-western parts of the UK, especially Scotland, have been much wetter. England is currently tracking as the driest of the UK nations, and Scotland the wettest.

This all comes off the back of England’s driest spring in more than 100 years and the driest January-July period since 1929.  

But with some more unsettled weather in the forecast for the end of August, these figures will of course change.

Above-average sunshine 

Sunshine amounts are also tracking ahead of average so far, with England especially sunny.

Why has it been so persistently warm? 

Several factors have contributed to the persistent warmth, including a dominant high-pressure system and a significant marine heatwave around the UK enhancing air temperatures. Climate change is also playing a role, with the UK warming at a rate of approximately 0.25°C per decade. 2023, 2022 and 2018 are among the UK’s top ten warmest summers in records back to 1884. 

The full, provisional August and Summer 2025 statistics will be release by the Met Office on Monday 1 September.

Storm Floris: Amber Warning today

Storm Floris will bring unseasonably strong and disruptive winds to much of Scotland during Monday

What should I expect?

  • Injuries and danger to life from large waves and beach material being thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties
  • Some damage to trees and buildings, such as tiles blown from roofs, expected
  • Longer journey times and cancellations, as road, rail, air and ferry services affected
  • Some roads and bridges closed

AMBER WARNING IN PLACE FROM 10am – 10pm

Storm Éowyn has passed through but disruption continues

MORE THAN 100,000 SCOTTISH HOMES ARE WITHOUT POWER

The Scottish Government’s Resilience Room (SGoRR) met again last night to co-ordinate the response to Storm Éowyn.

First Minister John Swinney chaired the meeting and has asked people to continue to follow Police Scotland advice and avoid travel in areas covered by the amber weather warning, which ran to 2300 in the southern half of Scotland and 0600 in the northern half.

Current impacts include:

  • Around 106,000 properties without power 
  • Continuing transport disruption with road closures and rail, bus, flight and ferry cancellations

First Minister John Swinney said last night: “Storm Éowyn continues to cause significant impacts on transport and power networks. Amber warnings for wind remain in place for much of the country, while there are warnings for wind, snow and ice tonight and tomorrow. 

“Across the area covered by the red warning road usage has been about 85% less than normal, and that is thanks to so many people heeding the advice not to travel.

“Police advice remains to avoid travel in areas covered by amber warnings, with wind particularly challenging for HGVs, and given the level of fallen trees and debris it will take some time for roads to fully reopen.

“Similarly, rail and air travel has been heavily impacted and people should check their planned journeys before setting off. This will not be a quick return to normal.

“Power cuts are affecting a significant number of properties, and while utilities companies are working hard to reconnect supply in the face of challenging conditions, this will undoubtedly take some time to complete. Companies are focused on supporting their most vulnerable customers and I’d urge everyone to be patient, take extra care and look out for each other.

“Given the levels of damage I expect the recovery and clear up operation will take some time, and I thank all of the emergency services and workers who are supporting people and dealing with this difficult situation.”

SGoRR was attended by the Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes, Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop, Justice and Home Affairs Secretary Angela Constance, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care Neil Gray; Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth, Rural Affairs and Islands Secretary Mairi Gougeon, Acting Net Zero and Energy Secretary Gillian Martin and Agriculture Minister Jim Fairlie.

They were joined by representatives from the Met Office, Police Scotland, Transport Scotland, SEPA, transport and utilities companies and resilience partners. 

The latest Met Office weather warnings are available on the Met Office website.  

Flood alerts are issued by the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency and can be viewed on their website.   

Advice on preparing for severe weather can be found on the Ready Scotland website.   

Follow Traffic Scotland for the most up-to-date information on the trunk roads throughout the warning periods, via their website, social media channels and radio broadcasts. Updates on ScotRail services and road conditions are available online.   

To report a power cut or damage to electricity power lines or substations call the SP Networks national Freephone number 105. More information on what to do during a storm can also be found on SP Energy Website. 

During a power cut firefighters can be called to fires started by candles or portable heaters. For advice on how to stay safe during a power cut visit Scottish Fire and Rescue Website.  

WEATHER WARNING: Travel Advice issued in advance of Storm Eowyn

The Met Office has issued an AMBER Weather warning for WIND. As such, there may be a HIGH RISK OF DISRUPTION for road users in the following areas:

• Central, Tayside & Fife (Angus, Clackmannanshire, Dundee,
Falkirk, Fife, Perth & Kinross, Stirling)
• Grampian (Aberdeenshire)
• Highlands & Eilean Siar (Highland)
• SW Scotland, Lothian Borders (Dumfries & Galloway, East
Lothian, Edinburgh, Midlothian Council, Scottish Borders, West Lothian
• Strathclyde (Argyll & Bute, Eat Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire,
East Renfrewshire, Glasgow, Inverclyde, North Ayrshire, North
Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire,
West Dunbartonshire).

The AMBER warning is effective from 0600 hours on Friday 24th to 2100 on Friday 24th January 2025.

This runs in conjunction with a YELLOW weather warning for WIND which is effective from 0000 hours on Friday 24th to 1500 hours on Saturday 25th January in the following areas:

• Central, Tayside & Fife (Angus, Clackmannanshire, Dundee,
Falkirk, Fife, Perth & Kinross, Stirling)
• Grampian (Aberdeenshire, Moray)
• Highlands & Eilean Siar (Na h-Eileanan Siar, Highland)
• SW Scotland, Lothian Borders (Dumfries & Galloway, East
Lothian, Edinburgh, Midlothian Council, Scottish Borders, West
Lothian
• Strathclyde (Argyll & Bute, East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire,
East Renfrewshire, Glasgow, Inverclyde, North Ayrshire, North
Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire,
West Dunbartonshire)
And a further YELLOW weather warning for SNOW which is effective
from 0300 hours on Friday 24th to 1200 hours on Friday 24th January in
the following areas:
• Central, Tayside & Fife (Angus, Clackmannanshire, Dundee,
Falkirk, Fife, Perth & Kinross, Stirling)
• Grampian (Aberdeenshire, Moray)
• Highlands & Eilean Siar (Na h-Eileanan Siar, Highland)
• SW Scotland, Lothian Borders (Dumfries & Galloway, East
Lothian, Edinburgh, Midlothian Council, Scottish Borders, West
Lothian
• Strathclyde (Argyll & Bute, East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire,
East Renfrewshire, Glasgow, Inverclyde, North Ayrshire, North
Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire,
West Dunbartonshire)

The full Met Office warning can be accessed via this link UK weather warnings – Met Office 

Details on Amber weather warning:

Storm Éowyn will move across the northwest of the UK on Friday, clearing to the northeast on Friday night.

This will bring a spell of very strong west to southwesterly winds, with peak gusts of 60-70 mph fairly widely inland, 70-80 mph in some areas, and 80-90 mph along more
exposed coasts and hills (perhaps even higher in a few locations).

It should be noted that there may be a slight reduction in wind strength for a time as the centre of Storm Éowyn passes overhead, this most likely in parts of Northern Ireland and western Scotland, before winds rapidly increase again.

Winds will gradually ease later on Friday.

General advice for road users:

• Plan ahead and avoid unnecessary travel
• All road users should consider if they really need to travel during adverse
weather
• Consider delaying travel until conditions improve
• If you are travelling on the roads, prepare yourself and your vehicle for the
conditions
• Ensure your mobile phone is charged and plan your journey, including an
alternative route
• Have sufficient fuel, warm clothing, food and water in case you’re delayed
• Do not ignore road closure signs – they are for your safety
• Congestion caused by vehicles may restrict emergency services and
recovery vehicles from providing essential assistance
• Listen to media broadcasts, including radio, for updates Traffic Scotland radio player | Traffic Scotland |Traffic Scotland radio player | Traffic Scotland  or visit 
Traffic Scotland | Trunk road traffic updates & route planner
• Follow your local authority for the latest updates in your area via Facebook,
Twitter/X or their website
• Other information can be found on the Met Office and Ready Scotland websites. For public transport information visit https://www.traveline.info. 
• Follow @policescotland and @trafficscotland on Twitter/X for up-to-date
travel information.

Wind

HGV and bus drivers should drive with extreme caution and be aware you may be asked to park at a suitable position by the police.

Drivers of vehicles vulnerable to being blown over should plan their route to avoid exposed areas or consider cancelling your journey until conditions improve.

Cyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians should consider the risk of being blown over or into the path of other road users.

Snow/Ice

Keep well back from the road user in front. Stopping distances can be up to 10x greater than on dry roads.

Check your windscreen washer levels and effectiveness of wiper blades.

Check your vehicle’s lights.You must ensure your lights are clean and number plates are clearly visible.

Ensure your windows are completely clear before driving. Failure to do so can result in a fine.

Met Office: Cold snap to continue

COLD WEATHER IN WINTER SHOCK!

The UK’s cold snap will continue this week, with low pressure remaining in charge bringing below-average temperatures and the potential for disruption in places.

National Severe Weather Warnings for snow and ice are currently in place and are likely to be updated through the week.

Last night, the UK experienced its coldest night of winter so far, with -13.3°C recorded in Loch Glascarnoch in Scotland. Southeast England was much milder though, with temperatures remaining in double figures in places.

That mild air has now been swept away by a cold northwesterly flow, which will allow further very low overnight temperatures to occur at times this week, especially where there is snow cover. But even away from snow cover, there will be widespread night frost and below average temperatures by day.  

Met Office Chief Meteorologist, Frank Saunders, said: “Hail, sleet or snow showers are expected to affect parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland, spreading to Wales and parts of northwest England this evening, before moving into part of southwest England, the Midlands and southern England during the early hours of Tuesday. Rain or hail is more likely towards some western coasts.

“Icy stretches which develop overnight as a result of these showers, or the recent wet conditions, could bring some disruption to travel. In addition to the ice, we could see snow accumulations of a few cm above 200 metres, with a chance of greater than 5 cm above 200 metres in Wales.

“The heaviest snow showers may also produce temporary accumulations of 0-2 cm at low levels. It is not possible to say exactly where this snow might fall, so it’s important that people are prepared.”

Further ahead

Things look to turn more settled towards the end of the week, although further weak fronts may push in from the west on Friday and into the weekend, which may possibly bring a little more snow to some parts.

You can find the latest forecast on our website, on YouTube, by following us on X and Facebook, as well as on our mobile app which is available for iPhone from the App store and for Android from the Google Play store.   

Severe Flood Warnings issued

Very high river levels forecast along the River Spey with a danger to life

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has issued three severe Flood Warnings for the Aviemore and Carrbridge areas with very high river levels forecast for the early hours of Tuesday morning along the River Spey, with a danger to life.

Further warnings are in place over large parts of Scotland with rivers expected to continue to rise, especially across Speyside, the Great Glen and Tayside where impacts are most likely.

A meeting of the Scottish Government’s Resilience Room (SGORR) – chaired by Justice Secretary and Minister for Resilience Angela Constance and attended by the First Minister and senior Ministers – was held last night (Monday) to ensure appropriate measures are in place to deal with the severe weather expected.

The Met Office has issued an amber warning for rain that covers parts of the southern Highlands and Moray, valid from midnight until 5pm today. A yellow warning for rain and snow covering much of the rest of Scotland remains in place until midnight tonight. There is also a yellow warning for wind across southern Scotland from 7am to 11pm today.

Police Scotland is encouraging road users in the area covered by the amber warning to consider whether they need to travel and are advising people to avoid travelling into the area.

Travel disruption is expected across Scotland, with Transport Scotland making preparations across the trunk road network. Rail, ferry and airport operators are also working to ensure that people can reach their destination over the remainder of the festive period, when it is safe to do so and once the worst of the conditions have passed or expired.

Ms Constance said: “Severe flood warnings with a danger to life are rarely issued and it’s imperative all those in the affected areas play their part to stay safe. I would urge everyone to take action now by staying away from flood water and not taking any unnecessary risks. Please follow the advice of emergency services and first responders on the ground, and where advised to evacuate please do so.

“I would also recommend to keep updated with Scottish Environment Protection Agency’s live flooding updates and consider now any steps needed to be prepared for flooding impacts. With amber and yellow warnings issued for a combination of rain, wind and snow across the country, I have chaired a meeting of SGORR to ensure that we are acting as quickly and safely as possible to mitigate the impacts of the severe weather.

“I know many people will have plans to celebrate Hogmanay with friends and family but with road, rail, air and ferry services all likely to be affected by the conditions, I would urge everyone to please plan ahead to make sure it is safe to travel, and to follow Police and Transport Scotland travel advice on the roads. Anyone planning to travel by rail, air or ferry, should also stay in contact with their operator for the latest service information.

“The Scottish Government’s resilience committee will continue to monitor the situation overnight into Tuesday, and keep Ministers fully updated.

“Advice and information for the public is available at Ready.Scot and the Scottish Government will continue to work with all relevant agencies to closely monitor the storm and its impacts and ensure support is provided to those affected.”

Cordelia Menmuir, Flood Duty Manager for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) said: “We have issued three severe flood warnings for the Aviemore and Carrbridge areas. As a result of heavy and prolonged rainfall overnight very high river levels are forecast for the early hours of Tuesday morning along the River Spey. There is a danger to life.

“The severe flood warnings are for Sluggan to Dulnain Bridge, Kincraig to Inverdruie, and Aviemore/ Dalfabar. Extensive river flooding is forecast and there will be widespread disruption to transport, infrastructure, and property flooding. Remember to follow the advice of emergency responder and do not walk or drive through flood water.”

Ministers attending last night’s meeting included First Minister John Swinney, Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government Shona Robison, Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero Gillian Martin and Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity Jim Fairlie.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) issues flood alerts and warnings for Scotland. View the latest updates on their website.

For trunk road information visit the Traffic Scotland website.

Updates on ScotRail services and road conditions are available online.

Advice on preparing for severe weather can be found on the Ready Scotland website.

Latest weather advice can be found on the Met Office website.

Travel advice issued for AMBER weather warning on Hogmanay

Road users are being advised to expect disruption in the Highland and Moray areas on Tuesday, 31 December, 2024 due to an AMBER warning for rain.

Heavy and persistent rainfall is expected which has the potential to trigger shallow landslides and will cause extensive surface water that could affect the public transport and road network, making driving conditions challenging.

There are a number of flood warnings and alerts in place already across Scotland and we would advise the public to check their area on the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) website.

Visit Ready Scotland for information on how to prepare for rain and flooding. Information about public transport is available via Traveline.

Police are encouraging road users in the affected area to consider whether they need to travel and are advising people to avoid travelling into the affected area and to drive to the road conditions.

Superintendent Andy Barclay, deputy head of Road Policing, said: “Our advice is to plan ahead and consider if your journey is really necessary during the bad weather or if it can be delayed until conditions improve.

“Stopping distances can be at least double on wet roads compared to dry conditions, and spray can reduce driver visibility.

 “If you need to travel, please drive to the conditions, be prepared for delays and allow extra time for your journey. Please don’t drive through road closures, the decision to close roads is not taken lightly and is done for public safety.”

General advice for road users

  • Plan ahead and avoid unnecessary travel
  • All road users should consider if they really need to travel during adverse weather
  • Consider delaying travel until conditions improve
  • If you are travelling on the roads, prepare yourself and your vehicle for the conditions
  • Ensure your mobile phone is charged and plan your journey, including an alternative route
  • Have sufficient fuel, warm clothing, food and water in case you’re delayed
  • Do not ignore road closure signs – they are for your safety
  • Congestion caused by vehicles may restrict emergency services and recovery vehicles from providing essential assistance
  • Listen to media broadcasts, including radio, for updates Traffic Scotland radio player | Traffic Scotland or visit Traffic Scotland | Trunk road traffic updates & route planner
  • Follow your local authority for the latest updates in your area via Facebook, Twitter/X or their website

Further details about the weather warning and information on flood alerts are available on the Met Office website.