Heavy rain and winds of up to 60mph are expected to hammer the Western Isles and parts of the Highlands later today.
The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for severe weather for the next two days – with a number of ferries already cancelled due to the harsh conditions.
It is expected that a wave of persistent rain will sweep across the western parts of the Highlands on Thursday afternoon before “slowly moving” to the Western Isles.
The weather warning, which covers areas from Fort William to Stornoway, will be in place from noon today until 3pm tomorrow.
Sepa has also issued a flood alert for the Western Isles, Skye and Lochaber, as well as Wester Ross, due to the combination of high tides and strong winds.
The greatest risk of coastal flooding will be around the times of high water and overtopping waves on Thursday evening.
There is a high chance that some homes and businesses could also be flooded, as the Met Office is forecasting up to four inches of rainfall at certain places.
This will be accompanied by “very strong” southwesterly gusts of up to 60mph, causing further disruption for commuters.
Ferries cancelled due to severe weather
Residents are being warned some roads could be flooded, with bus and train services, as well as ferries, likely to be affected.
A number of ferries in the north-west and Hebrides have already been cancelled today an tomorrow due to strong winds and choppy seas. These include:
- Gallanach to Kerrera – cancelled.
- Sconser to Raasay – cancelled for the rest of the day.
- Fionnphort to Iona – cancelled for the rest of the day.
- Ardmhor to Eriskay – all sailings cancelled today. For tomorrow (November 11) – 7.15am and 8.10am cancelled, with a review at 9am regarding later sailings.
- Oban to Lismore – 2pm/3pm and the return at 3pm/4pm – cancelled. There will be a review at 3pm regarding later sailings.
- Tayinloan to Gigha – final sailings today at 2.30pm departing Gigha and 3pm Tayinloan.
- Berneray to Leverburgh – 11am and the return at 2.40pm – cancelled.
- Lochaline to Fishnish – the 4.25pm ferry from Fishnish will be last of the day.
Ullapool to Stornoway (freight) – at 5pm and the return at 9pm – cancelled. - Tarbert to Portavadie – at 6.15pm and 6.45pm – cancelled.
- Stornoway to Ullapool (freight) – November 11 at 1am and return at 5am cancelled.
- Stornoway to Ullapool – 7am and 10.45am service tomorrow – cancelled. The 2.30pm from Stornoway and 6.15pm return from Ullapool are expected to run as normal.
- Mallaig to Armadale – The 8:40am from Mallaig and 09:25am return from Armadale have been cancelled tomorrow.
Meanwhile, Northlink is warning passengers to expect disruption later today, although no decision on sailings have yet been announced.
Despite the blustery weather, tonight and tomorrow are expected to be very mild for the time of year. Forecasters expect Dyce in Aberdeen expected to have the mildest November night on record at 14.5C.
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