All of Scotland is set to be hit by extreme winds this weekend with some areas seeing gusts as strong as 80mph, as Storm Ashley heads for the UK.

While a weather warning for the Outer Hebrides remains in place for most of Friday, the worst is yet to come for mainland Scotland.

A yellow weather warning has been issued by the Met Office covering all of Scotland, starting in the early hours of Sunday morning and lasting through to midday on Monday 21 October.

Today’s warning is in force until 3 pm, while the weekend warning begins at 3am on Sunday morning. According to the Met Office, there will be a small chance of injuries and danger to life from flying debris, or large waves in coastal areas.

The forecaster has also said there could be cancellations or longer journey times on public transport such as road, rail air, and ferry services.

A spokesperson said: “A windy period is expected across the whole of the UK on Sunday and into Monday, but across parts of Scotland, Northern Ireland, Northwest England and North West Wales there is an increased chance of some disruption.

“Initially, a period of strong south to southeasterly winds will likely develop through Sunday morning, with gusts of 50-60 mph possible in some inland areas, especially Northern Ireland and western Scotland, and perhaps up to 60-70 mph along exposed coasts and hills.

“Winds will then likely turn southwesterly, with a period of especially strong winds possible during Sunday afternoon and evening in western Scotland where gusts could potentially reach 70-80 mph in exposed areas, and more generally 55-65 mph in other parts of the warning area. These strong winds in conjunction with high spring tides may cause some disruption.”

 

Regions and local authorities affected:

Central, Tayside & Fife

  • Angus
  • Clackmannanshire
  • Dundee
  • Falkirk
  • Fife
  • Perth and Kinross
  • Stirling

Grampian

  • Aberdeen
  • Aberdeenshire
  • Moray

Highlands & Eilean Siar

  • Na h-Eileanan Siar
  • Highland

North West England

  • Cumbria

Northern Ireland

  • County Antrim
  • County Armagh
  • County Down
  • County Fermanagh
  • County Londonderry
  • County Tyrone

Orkney & Shetland

  • Orkney Islands
  • Shetland Islands

SW Scotland, Lothian Borders

  • Dumfries and Galloway
  • East Lothian
  • Edinburgh
  • Midlothian Council
  • Scottish Borders
  • West Lothian

Strathclyde

  • Argyll and Bute
  • East Ayrshire
  • East Dunbartonshire
  • East Renfrewshire
  • Glasgow
  • Inverclyde
  • North Ayrshire
  • North Lanarkshire
  • Renfrewshire
  • South Ayrshire
  • South Lanarkshire
  • West Dunbartonshire