Tag: weather

Edinburgh and Lothians flood alert

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has issued an updated FLOOD ALERT for Edinburgh and Lothians:

There is a continuing risk of surface water flooding due to the band of intense rainfall currently over the area. This could cause flooding from local surface water run off, particularly in urban areas and on roads. It may also cause some flooding from smaller watercourses in the region, particularly to low lying land and in flood prone areas. The risk from flooding will lessen during Sunday afternoon as the rain starts to ease.

Remain vigilant and remember, it is your responsibility to take actions which help protect yourself and your property.  Advice and information is available through Floodline on 0845 9881188.  This FLOOD ALERT UPDATE is now in force until further notice.

If you haven’t already signed up to receive free flood messages, please call Floodline or register online at sepa.org.uk/floodingsignup.Drain

Botanics CLOSED

At least the sun's brought the blooms out!
At least the sun’s brought the blooms out!

The Botanic Gardens are currently closed due to the high winds, although The Gateway remains open and this evening’s Adult Education Open Night goes ahead as planned.

I can vouch for the power of those winds – I’ve just seen my blue recycling box flying past the window and off down the road!

Weather warning – more heavy rain expected

The Met Office has upgraded a weather warning of more heavy rain for many parts of eastern Scotland, with an amber warning for Wednesday centring on Edinburgh with up to 50mm of rain possible. The Met Office said that there is still uncertainty about the exact areas which would be affected but localised flooding is likely.

The warning of further heavy rain comes just days after torrential rain caused flooding in many parts of the city including Stockbridge, Cramond and Warriston.

Environmental protection agency SEPA has issued an amber flood alert for Edinburgh and Lothians. In a statement on the organisation’s website, residents are warned:

‘Persistent rain is expected to affect the area from Tuesday through to Wednesday evening. River levels are expected to rise in response to this rain and may cause some flooding from rivers from later on Wednesday morning. There is particular concern for the East Lothian area.

SEPA duty officers will monitor the situation and update as further information becomes available.

Remain vigilant and remember, it is your responsibility to take actions which help protect yourself and your property.  Advice and information is available through Floodline on 0845 9881188.  This FLOOD ALERT is now in force until further notice and was sent by phone and sms free of charge to registered customers of our Floodline direct warning service.  If you haven’t already signed up to receive free flood messages, please call Floodline on 0845 988 1188 or register online at sepa.org.uk/floodingsignup.’

Last month was the dullest and wettest June since records began over a century ago and, with wet weather forecast to continue, it’s already looking likely that July will follow June into the record books.

The scientific explanation for the worst summer on record is that the jet stream is  further south than it should be at this time of year – over France and Spain,  meaning Britain is under a blanket of low pressure on the northern side of  it. That brings depressions, resulting in the record rainfall levels we’re currently experiencing.