Scotland’s central belt is set to be battered by high winds with the Met Office issuing an amber ‘danger to life warning’  

Forecasters say that Storm Isha could bring power cuts, disruption to road and rail networks, and danger from flying debris.  

There is also the threat of Injuries and danger to life from large waves and beach material being thrown onto coastal roads, sea fronts, and properties. 

The amber alert runs from 6 pm on Sunday until 9 am on Monday and stretches across much of the west coast of the UK.  

The Scottish Farmer: The Amber warning covers the Central Belt The Amber warning covers the Central Belt (Image: Met Office)

In Scotland, the warning covers Glasgow Edinburgh, Dumfries, and Stirling.  

It comes as the recent cold snap gives way to stormy weather during the weekend, with yellow alerts for rain issues for several areas.  

The heaviest rain is expected on Sunday – with 30mm to 50mm falling widely and the potential for peaks of 80mm to 100mm over hills, the forecaster said. 

Milder conditions will also result in the thaw of lying snow. 

The amber alert states:  

  • There is a good chance that power cuts may occur, with the potential to affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage 
  • Probably some damage to buildings, such as tiles blown from roofs 
  • Longer journey times and cancellations likely, as road, rail, air and ferry services may be affected 
  • Some roads and bridges likely to close 
  • Injuries and danger to life is likely from large waves and beach material being thrown onto coastal roads, sea fronts and properties 

A yellow weather warning for rain has been issued for Sunday and Monday, covering most of the country, with a yellow wind warning issued for parts of Scotland. 

Met Office deputy chief meteorologist David Hayter said: “The Atlantic influence will introduce some wet and windy weather, with a deep area of low pressure approaching from the west on Sunday. 

“While detail is still being worked out, we expect windy weather for many and some heavy rain in the west so we’ve issued warnings for Sunday for wind and rain. 

“Watch out for updates to these warnings on Friday and Saturday as the forecast develops.”

Storm Isha is the ninth named storm to hit the UK since the season began in September.

Each storm is named when it poses a risk to people and they are given names beginning with consecutive letters of the alphabet.

The record number of named storms in one year is when the Met Office began the practice in 2015/16, with Storm Katie being the eleventh and final storm of the season.

If there are three more named storms between next week and August, this year will mark a new record.