The amber warning for “heavy rainfall” covers Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Angus and Perth and Kinross until 3pm on Friday and warns that some rapid flow or deep flooding is likely, “causing danger to life”. Forecasts show that two to three weeks of rain fell in just 24 hours. The Met Office said this has now extended the weather warning until 9pm as the rain is now “slightly slower than expected”. In Angus, all schools in Brechin, Montrose and Kirriemuir were closed due to localized flooding, as well as more than a dozen others. On Friday morning, one lane of the M9 westbound was closed at J2 due to flooding. In Fife, the A92 was closed between Parbroath Crossroads and Melville Lodges due to flooding, and in Dunfermline, Halbeath Road was closed with diversions in place. There are regional flood warnings in place from the eastern border to Aberdeenshire, with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency warning that Aberdeenshire and Angus could be particularly affected. A car trapped by heavy flooding in Granton, Edinburgh. Photo: John Devlin There were 20 flood warnings and nine flood warnings on Friday morning. Transport Secretary Jenny Gilruth said: “The Met Office is warning us to expect a period of severe weather across parts of eastern Scotland throughout Friday, with heavy rain likely to affect travel in the orange warning area in the north-east. “The conditions could potentially cause disruption to the transport network, so it is important that people plan their journeys before they set off, especially if they want to use trunk roads or travel by rail.” Forecasters said some areas of higher ground in the orange warning area could see a month’s worth of rain within days, with more than 100mm of rain and even 150mm possible in parts of the Grampians and Cairngorms. There is significant disruption to travel. Images via Fife Jammer The average rainfall for November in Aberdeenshire is 113mm, while for Angus it is 122.8mm, meaning if these areas see 150mm of rain, more than a month’s worth of rain will fall in just two days. ScotRail has imposed some speed restrictions on lines in the east of Scotland until midday. Network Rail Scotland said journeys would take longer today on the East Coast Main Line between Edinburgh and the Borders, as well as between Aberdeen, Inverness and the central belt due to “exceptionally high rainfall”, meaning speeds of trains must be limited for safety. Ms Gilruth said: “Motorists should make sure their routes are available, follow travel advice from Police Scotland and drive according to the conditions.” Ridley Drive, Rosyth Completely closed in both directions due to flooding Chief Superintendent Louise Blakelock, head of road policing, said: “As an orange warning has been issued for heavy rain, we urge motorists to plan ahead and avoid unnecessary journeys. “The Met Office, Sepa and Traffic Scotland websites have valuable information about weather disruptions and we would advise people to check these websites before starting your journey.” The view from Red Bridge, Ferry Road Photo: Helen ToddNetwork Rail Scotland said journeys would take longer today on the East Coast Main Line between Edinburgh and the Borders, as well as between Aberdeen, Inverness and the Central Belt due to “extremely high rainfall This means that train speeds must be limited for safety.
