SAFETY warnings have been issued as gales of up to 80 miles per hour are expected to hit parts of Scotland today.
Storm Ali could pose a serious threat, forecasters say.
The Met Office has issued alerts warning of “danger to life”, with an amber status in place for central and southern Scotland, Strathclyde, Tayside and Fife. The rest of the country is covered by a yellow alert.
Forecasters warn that Storm Ali – the first named storm of the season – is expected to bring a very windy spell of weather with gusts of 65-75mph inland and up to 80mph at times, particularly on high ground and in coastal areas.
They said flying debris is likely and could lead to injuries or danger to life, while there will probably be some damage to buildings. Meanwhile disruption to travel by road, rail and air is likely and power cuts may also occur.
Chief Superintendent Stewart Carle, pictured, below, who is head of road policing at Police Scotland, said: “Previous incidents have clearly shown the dangers of driving vehicles vulnerable to being blown over in high wind conditions and the subsequent danger created for other road users, emergency services and recovery operatives where incidents have occurred due to drivers ignoring warnings.”
Met Office spokesman Grahame Madge said: “The whole of Scotland is affected to a greater or lesser extent. The amber warning covers central Scotland and up the east coast as far as Aberdeen, southern Scotland and up the west coast as far as Oban.
“It’s going to be particularly windy and the impact we would expect would be flying debris, and with trees still in full leaf they are more vulnerable to toppling. Given the direction the winds are coming from west and north facing coasts could be subject to large waves and there is potential for disruption to transport.”
The amber warning is in force between 8am and 5pm today, with winds expected to ease from the west through the afternoon.
The whole of Scotland is covered by the yellow warning from 6am until 10pm.
Cautions have also been issued for northern England and Northern Ireland.
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