Scotland is no stranger to severe weather. But we know it can be worse in winter.
We have advice on how to prepare for: – Snow and ice – Rain and flooding – Storms
Know how to stay safe:
Ready Scotland: Prepared for Winter?
Tag: Ready Scotland
Ready Scotland: Flooding advice
Flooding can happen at any time of the year in Scotland.
Areas at higher risk are normally closer to rivers or the sea, or prone to surface water build-up.
Check your flood risk at sepa.scot/flooding
Local Emergencies: Community Councils webinar with Ready Scotland
Still time to sign up for our webinar with @readyscotland on Wednesday 25 September to talk about how Community Councils are supporting people through local emergencies – and find out how you can contribute to a new survey on the issue.
Be safe in the water this summer
Reservoirs, rivers and lochs might look inviting for a quick swim, but they contain many hidden dangers.
Strong currents and cold water shock can be fatal.
Be safe in the water this summer.
Follow advice from Water Safety Scotland at watersafetyscotland.org.uk
Police issue travel advice issued ahead of Storm Jocelyn
The Met Office has issued a new Amber warning for wind across parts of western and northern Scotland.
The warning is in place between 6pm tonight (Tuesday, 23 January) and 8am tomorrow – Wednesday, 24 January.
The following areas are expected to be affected by the Amber warning:
- Grampian (Aberdeenshire and Moray)
- Highlands and Eilean Siar
- Orkney
- Strathclyde (Argyll & Bute and North Ayrshire)
A Yellow warning for wind affected all of Scotland is also in place between 1600hrs today (Tuesday, 23 January) and 1300hrs Wednesday, 24 January.
Additionally, a Yellow warning for rain is in place and is valid between 0700hrs and 1800hrs on Tuesday (23 January).
Further information about the weather warnings and flood information is available on the Met Office and SEPA websites.
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, X or their website
- Other information can be found on the Met Office and Ready Scotland websites. For public transport information visit www.travelinescotland.com
- Follow @trafficscotland on 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.
Rain / Surface Water
Drive to the conditions. Spray can reduce driver visibility.
Be aware of increased stopping distances. In wet weather, stopping distances will be at least double those required for stopping on dry roads.
Driving through areas of flooding can result in catastrophic damage to your vehicle. It may also result in the road becoming blocked with recovery required and may delay emergency services and road maintenance workers.
Storm Babet: It’s not over yet
Significant storm impacts to continue this weekend
The Scottish Government’s Resilience Room (SGoRR) met last night as more exceptional levels of rain were expected to hit parts of the country this weekend, causing further disruption and challenging conditions.
The meeting was chaired by the First Minister after a further high level Red Warning was issued by the Met Office for parts of Angus and Aberdeenshire from 00:01 to 23:59 Saturday.
People are urged not to travel and to stay at home in the affected areas, unless advised to relocate to a rest centre, with ‘exceptional’ levels of rain likely to result in significant disruption and danger to life.
Amber warnings for rain will be in place for Easter Ross, Caithness and Sutherland on Saturday. In these Amber areas it is being advised people should avoid travel unless absolutely necessary.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has reported that record water levels have now been recorded at a number of its gaugeing stations, and that five Severe Flood Warnings are currently in place, as well as 11 regional Flood Alerts, and 16 local Flood Warning.
First Minister Humza Yousaf said: “Storm Babet has now, tragically, claimed lives, and my deepest condolences go out to the families of those who have lost loved ones in tragic circumstances.
“I want to pay tribute to everyone across the multi-agency response to Storm Babet who continue to operate, often in incredibly difficult conditions to keep the people of Scotland safe.
“Unfortunately, it is clear we have not seen the last of this storm. Around half the average monthly rainfall for October is expected to fall through tonight and tomorrow in areas that have already been severely affected by exceptional levels of rainfall.
“It was always expected that the impacts of the storm would continue even once the most severe aspects of the storm itself had subsided, but a new Red Weather alert makes the ongoing severity of this situation clear. My very clear message to those covered by the Red Warning remains: please stay at home and do not travel, unless advised to relocate to a rest centre.
“A number of Amber and Yellow Weather Warnings meanwhile remain in place throughout many parts of the rest of the country. I urge everyone, however difficult this might feel over the weekend – particularly sports fans – to keep following the latest advice in order to keep you, and your families, safe.”
Assistant Chief Constable of Police Scotland Stuart Houston said: “We are dealing with exceptional weather conditions which have been extremely challenging for all involved.
“With the red warning being extended until midnight Saturday, this remains a dangerous situation which poses a threat to life.
“We are working hard with a range of multi-agency partners to support communities and those who need our help. Communities in Tayside are dealing with some of the most difficult conditions they have faced, with a number of road closures in place due to hazardous conditions and evacuations continuing of those affected by flooding.
“I would like to thank the public for their co-operation and for sticking to the travel advice in place to keep people safe and would again urge people to continue to follow the advice and listen to media broadcast, including radio, for updates. Follow your local authority for the latest updates in your area as well as police, the Met Office website and Traffic Scotland.
“Our advice is to avoid any form of travel in areas covered by the red weather warning – we are dealing with significant flooding issues, which pose a threat to life.”
Pascal Lardet, SEPA Flood Duty Manager, said: “These are very difficult days for communities in Scotland who are experiencing flooding, in some cases for the second time in a month. There is more rain to come, and SEPA staff are working around the clock to provide vital information to partners and the public.
“We started issuing Regional Flood Alerts on Tuesday to provide early awareness and help people prepare, and these are being updated as required. We continue to monitor river levels and issue localised Flood Warnings as required.
“However, it is important to stress that not all areas that could be affected have Flood Warning schemes, so please do take a Flood Alert in your area as advance notice that you could be affected.”
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) issues regional flood alerts and local flood warnings for Scotland. View the latest updates on their 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.
Supporting each other during winter
Refreshed ‘Ready Scotland’ website to help communities work together
Communities are being encouraged to continue to support each other as the country moves into winter.
The Scottish Government’s recently refreshed Ready Scotland website (ready.scot) provides a range of information for anyone looking for support during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, as well as advice on preparing for winter weather.
It also provides guidance for those who wish to help out those around them, whether on an individual basis or through volunteering with local community groups or charities.
Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: “In any year, winter weather can be a challenge for many of us, and this year it will come while we are already managing the effects that COVID-19 is having on so many aspects of our lives.
“As we have seen in previous winters, and as we saw so clearly during our lockdown in the spring and in the months since, the strength and kindness of our communities and our desire to look out for our neighbours is one of our greatest resources.
“These support networks are no less important now than they were in the spring, especially to older, disabled and at risk people, and those who are on their own or feeling lonely. While we can’t visit each other as we might have done in previous years, a phone call or a text can go a long way, and there are a wide range of services standing ready to provide support.
“I would encourage people to continue to take time to check in with those around you and offer any help that you are able.”
Guidance on giving and finding help during the coronavirus pandemic, preparing for winter weather, and forming community groups is available on the Ready Scotland website.
For those without digital access, coronavirus support can be sought from the National Assistance Helpline by telephoning 0800 111 4000.
Clearyourhead.scot has a range of advice and resources, also offering practical assistance for anyone feeling low or needing to speak to someone for emotional support.