An amber weather warning for the east of Scotland has been extended as heavy rain lashed parts of the country, with flooding causing school closures and disruption to roads and railways.
The amber alert for “heavy rain” covers Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Angus and Perth and Kinross until 3pm on Friday, warning that flash or deep flooding is likely to “cause danger to life” .
Forecasts suggest two to three weeks of rain have fallen in just 24 hours.
The Met Office said the weather warning has now been extended until 9pm as the rain is now “slightly slower to ease than previously expected”.
In Angus, schools in Brechin, Montrose and Kirriemuir were all 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.
Regional flood warnings are in place from the eastern borders to Aberdeenshire, with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency warning that Aberdeenshire and Angus could be particularly affected.
A car stuck due to heavy flooding in Granton, Edinburgh. Image: John Devlin
As of Friday morning there were 20 flood warnings and nine flood alerts.
Transport Minister Jenny Gilruth said: “The Met Office is warning us to expect a period of difficult weather across parts of eastern Scotland throughout Friday, with heavy rain likely to affect travel in the area amber warning for the northeast.
“The conditions could cause disruption to the transport network, so it’s important that people plan their journeys before they go, particularly if they want to use main roads or travel by train.”
Forecasters said some areas of higher ground in the amber warning zone could see a month’s worth of rain in a couple of days, with more than 100mm of rain, and even 150mm, possible in parts of Grampians and Cairngorms.
There is a major disruption to travel. Images via Fife Jammer
The average November rainfall in Aberdeenshire is 113mm, while in 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 a couple of days
ScotRail has imposed some speed restrictions on lines in the east of Scotland until midday.
Network Rail Scotland said journeys will be delayed 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 heavy rainfall”, meaning the train speed must be limited for safety. .
Ms Gilruth said: “Motorists should ensure their routes are available, follow Police Scotland travel advice and drive to the conditions.”
Ridley Drive, Rosyth Completely is closed in both directions due to flooding
Chief Superintendent Louise Blakelock, head of road policing, said: “As an amber warning has been issued for heavy rain, we are asking motorists to plan ahead and avoid unnecessary journeys.
“The Met Office, Sepa and Traffic Scotland websites have valuable information about weather disruptions and we advise people to check these sites before starting your journey.”
The view from Red Bridge, Ferry Road Photo: Helen ToddNetwork Rail Scotland said journeys will 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 the “extremely high rainfall”. ” which means that the speed of the trains must be limited for safety.