Scotland Weather: Trains disrupted and roads closed as dozens of flood warnings issued due to heavy rain

As of 8am, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has issued 19 flood warnings and 12 flood alerts across Scotland.

The flood warnings cover parts of Ayrshire, Dumfries and Galloway, Caithness and Sutherland, Orkney, Scottish Borders and Tayside, with less severe alerts in force elsewhere.

The Met Office has yellow warnings in place for wind and rain affecting north-western Scotland. The wind warning is in place until 10am on Monday and the other for rain ends at 8am on Monday.

Several roads are closed this morning due to heavy rain.

Traffic Scotland said the A9 at Blair Atholl is closed in both directions, as is the A92 at Portlethen.

It also said high winds are affecting the Dornoch Bridge, Kessock Bridge and Skye Bridge.

Meanwhile, ScotRail said a number of train services are facing disruption, with speed restrictions in place on a number of routes and some delays and cancellations expected.

Affected services include the Inverness to Edinburgh route and trains to Fort William, Oban and Mallaig from Glasgow Queen Street.

CalMac has confirmed a number of ferry services have also been cancelled.

David Morgan, Sepa’s flood duty manager, previously said: “Continuing heavy rain, combined with melting snow, increases the risk of flooding.

“Flood risk is greatest in Dumfries and Galloway, and the west and north of Scotland.

“Possible impacts could include flooding affecting parts of communities, low-lying land, transport infrastructure and individual properties.

“Driving conditions will be very difficult at times.”

Matthew Lehnert, chief meteorologist for the Met Office, said: “We’ll see a transition in our weather across the UK through Sunday, with mild Atlantic air moving in from the west.

“Temperatures will rise and we’ll see rain rather than snow accompanying some strong gusty winds in the north.

“Warnings have been issued for heavy and persistent rain, as well as these strong winds overnight in western and northern Scotland.

“While the wintry weather may have come to an end, the significant snow accumulations in parts of Scotland mixed with heavy rainfall and an increase in temperatures bring a risk of flooding in some areas as the snow melts.

“Keep up to date with the flood warnings issued by Sepa and check your flood risk.”

Justice Secretary Angela Constance, who hosted the meeting alongside the First Minister, previously said: “As wintry conditions ease across the country, we are urging the public to remain vigilant.

“Rising temperatures and heavy rainfall, combined with melting snow, bring a significant risk of flooding in several areas.

“This could affect properties and transport routes, with difficult driving conditions expected in many parts of the country at the start of the working week.

“Ministers have now met in the Scottish Government Resilience Room for seven consecutive days, bringing together partners including Sepa, the Met Office, Police Scotland and local responders to ensure our response is co-ordinated.”

She added: “Agencies are working around the clock to support communities as the conditions change.

“I would encourage everyone to keep a close eye on weather forecasts, flood alerts and travel advice for their area over the coming days.

“Please follow the updates from key agencies including the Met Office, Sepa and Police Scotland.”