Met Office 'danger to life' warning LIVE: Scottish towns underwater with severe flooding
The Met Office has enforced a rarely-activated amber weather warning for rain, as chaos is set to erupt across parts of Britain this weekend.
Urgent weather warnings are in place across Scotland after heavy rain and flooding has left several towns underwater.
A landslide has also closed roads heading towards Argyll and Bute this afternoon, including the A83.
Dumbarton and Grangemouth are two of the towns flooded, with train tracks also underwater amid the Met Office 'danger to life' weather warning.
The amber weather warning was first put in place at 3am this morning (Saturday, October 7), until 6am on Sunday.
An updated amber weather warning for rain is for 9pm tonight (Saturday, October 7) until 2pm on Sunday.
Earlier today, trains to Newcastle have been suspended until further notice due to the severe weather front, with a 'do not travel' warning in place.
The Met Office says: "While much of Scotland will see a very wet period through Saturday and into early Sunday, the highlighted area is likely to see the largest rainfall totals.
"Widely 80-100 mm of rain can be expected, with as much as 150-180 mm possible for the wettest spots. Rain should slowly clear to the north of the warning area during Sunday morning."
This is a live blog. Read our updates below.
KEY EVENTS
Warning area has been extended further south
The Met Office has extended its weather warning in Scotland.
Its Yellow warning for rain has now been extended to include Strathclyde.
It says: "Another spell of heavy rain is expected to move east across northern Scotland during Sunday morning and clear during the afternoon.
"A further 20-30 mm of rain could fall fairly widely within the warning area with a few places seeing 40-50 mm, with much of this falling in a 6-9 hour period."
49 flood warnings issued - including one severe flood warning
Flood warnings have now been issued by The Scottish Environment Protection Agency, says The Scottish Government.
On its X channel Scottish Government says: "The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (@ScottishEPA) issues flood alerts and warnings @SEPAFlood and on its website https://floodline.sepa.org.uk/floodupdates/"
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency says that there are currently 17 flood alerts, 49 flood warnings and one severe flood warning.
You can see more information here.
ScotRail warns users of disruption
ScotRail has warned its customers of disruption caused by today's flooding.
On X the company said: "Services will wind down from 21:00 tonight following today's extreme weather.
"Safety checks need to be completed on many routes in daylight before trains can resume.
"The Perth - Inverness route is unlikely to run tomorrow.
"Replacement transport will be extremely limited."
'No guests trapped in hotel'
A reporter took to Twitter earlier to say that guests were trapped in the Premier Inn in Grangemouth after Scottish flooding.
But a spokesperson has since confirmed that is not the case.
A Premier Inn spokesperson said: "I can confirm there are no guests trapped in the hotel.
Dramatic footage captures Scottish flood waters
This dramatic footage shows some of the after effects of the rain that's belted down across Scotland.
Scotland: Flood waters
Rugby pitch turned canoe water course
A Scottish rugby club has shared a video of its pitch - being used as a canoe water course.
Bishopton Rugby put the update on its Facebook page saying: "After further pitch inspection, today's events at Holmpark have been cancelled."
MSP Jamie Greene warns his constituents about the weather
Member of Scottish Parliament Jamie Greene - who represents West Scotland for the Scottish Conservatives - has taken to X to warn constituents about the severe weather.
In his tweet MSP Jamie Greene said: "It’s not just unpleasant out there, it’s dangerous.
"Roads, train lines, waterways: all flooding to very high levels.
"Please do not travel unless an emergency or completely necessary."
Met Office issues new amber rain warning
The Met Office has issues a number of updates on the severe rain affecting Scotland.
HM Coastguard confirms 10 airlifted to safety on A83
The HM Coastguard has confirmed that 10 Scots were airlifted to safety after a landslide came hurtling down a cliff onto the A83.
A spokesperson said: “The HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter from Prestwick airlifted 10 people cut off by a landslide at the junction of the A815 and A83 near Inveraray on 7 October.
"The alarm was raised at about 9.15am.
“The people were flown safe and well to Inveraray and met by the Inveraray Coastguard Rescue Team and provided with shelter."
You can read more here.
Shocking image captures landslide in Scotland
This shocking image shows the terrfying extent of a landslide caused by the Scottish floods.
The image shows the stretch of A38 in Argyll and Bute where 10 were airlifted to safety.
Reports of people 'trapped in Premier inn' as flood submerge outside
There are reports that there are people trapped in a Premier Inn in Grangemouth, Scotland, as divers outside scramble to help those in cars outside.
Express.co.uk has contacted Premier Inn to find out more.
Scots airlifted to safety after dramatic landslides
A Scots mum and daughter say they're lucky to be alive after their car was washed off a 30ft cliff by a landslide.
You can read more about their terrifying ordeal here.
Interactive Met Office weather map shows extent of heavy rain across Scotland
An interactive Met Office UK weather map shows the heavy rainfall predicted across Scotland today and tomorrow.
You can chart the rain with the map here.
Flooding expected to continue until Sunday
Environmental experts have warned that flooding will continue to ravage Scotland through the weekend.
Speaking on BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland this morning, Vincent Fitzsimmons from the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA), said flooding would continue on Sunday, October 8.
Mr Fitzsimmons said: "We are expecting widespread flooding through today, Saturday and into Sunday morning.
"It's very heavy rain, but it will be relentless for a particularly long period of time.
"There is that amber area, it goes from the western half of the central belt through up into the Highlands.
"There are communities there where we have quite significant concerns."
10 airlifted following landslides
Emergency workers have airlifted 10 people who became trapped by landslides.
Several vehicles became trapped on the A83 and A815 in Argyll and Bute, where police had warned drivers not to travel.
An HM Coastguard helicopter was dispatched to remove them from the scene.
Police have not reported any injuries, and the roads remain closed.
Roads flooded by hillside runoff
Pictures have shown Highland roads becoming flooded by water running down hills.
Rainwater can be seen running off high ground and into major roads connecting small communities.
In Dumbarton, drivers can be seen braving the gradually flooding streets.
Flooding triggers landslides in Scotland
Scotland's tumultuous weather has caused local landslides, with pictures showing collapsed hillsides.
Police have issued a warning for drivers, telling them not to navigate roads in Argyll and Bute.
The landslides have primarily affected roads connecting rural communities, including the A83 between Tarbet and Lochgilphead, which is now closed.
Trunk road maintenance firm Bear Scotland said engineers were working to clear roads and culverts, but that some thoroughways wouldn't be checked until Sunday.
Water captured flowing down train tracks
A video has shown water flowing like a river down train tracks in Scotland.
#floods #Scotland pic.twitter.com/XEO7BFTc7G
\u2014 health benefits (@stuartg02634818) October 7, 2023
Pictures show extent of Scottish flooding
Pictures taken today have shown the extent of the flooding in Scotland.
Photos from towns like Dumbarton show cars rolling through up to a foot of dirty water pooling in the roads.
People can also be seen boarding up their homes with sandbags to help prevent floodwaters flowing inside.
Video shows Grangemouth submerged
A video has shown the town of Grangemouth, Scotland, submerged almost entirely by floodwaters.
Users of X, formerly known as Twitter, have posted footage showing cars under the surface and rescuers clad in red suits quickly acting to retrieve drivers.
Grangemouth in Scotland today....\ud83c\udf0apic.twitter.com/YlrYEII597
\u2014 Volcaholic \ud83c\udf0b (@volcaholic1) October 7, 2023
UK to see El Niño winter
As some Britons experience unusual warmth today, some forecasters have turned their gaze to the coming winter.
Climate pattern El Niño is expected to dominate the season this year, bringing snow.
Speaking to EuroNews, Professor Adam Scaife, head of long-range prediction at the Met Office, said winter would start out mild and grow steadily colder.
He said: “El Niño years have a tendency to have a mild wet and westerly start to winter (November to December) and a colder, drier end to winter (January to March) across most of northern Europe.”
He added: "It's important to note that this is the average across many El Niño cases and isn’t strong enough to determine the outcome for certain.
"Instead, El Niño just shifts the probability in favour of these outcomes.”
Floodwaters invade Scottish tracks
Floodwater has invaded train tracks in Scotland, pictures have shown.
A photo posted by Network Rail this afternoon shows Bridgeton and Dalmarnock stations in Glasgow near completely waterlogged.
Several other stations have also shut in the city today, with flooding above the rails in Lochburn Tunnels shuttering Anniesland to Glasgow Queen Street.
Flooding over both tracks at Thornliebank station has led to suspensions on the East Kilbride route.
Met Office updates Scotland rain warnings
The Met Office has updated its yellow weather warnings for Scotland.
In the latter area, people have also been warned to expect "outbreaks of rain" that will "become heavy and persistent overnight and may lead to some disruption".
October heatwave to arrive in hours
The UK will see summertime temperatures in a matter of hours, maps show.
While Scotland battles heavy rain this morning, Britons living in southern England are anticipating a much more pleasant day.
Forecasters have long predicted that temperatures will reach summer highs this weekend, breaching the 20C mark once more.
Maps show the mercury rising to its highest point by the mid-afternoon, around 4pm.
By then, temperatures should hit 24C, and they will remain high further into the evening.
By Sunday, they will reach the same temperatures around the same time, but forecasters have warned they could rise as high as 26C.
LNER customers advised 'do not travel north of Newcastle'
Customers with the LNER train service have been advised not to travel north of Newcastle during the severe rain.
In an update to passengers this morning, the company said services would not run north of the city.
The update added that people who have already bought tickets will have longer to use them, or they can request a refund.
The update read: "Due to adverse weather in Scotland today, there will be no London North Eastern Railway (LNER) services running north of Newcastle.
"Customers are advised not to travel north of Newcastle.
"Customers with tickets dated for travel between Newcastle and Scotland today will be able to make their journey on LNER services up to and including Tuesday 10 October 2023 or they can request a refund.
"Severe weather conditions have been forecast for parts of Scotland for the weekend.
"Customers are advised to check before they travel."
Saturday flood warnings for Scotland
Hours after the Met Office weather alerts activated this morning, the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) has imposed a collection of flood warnings.
The organisation has placed 15 flood alerts, indicating floods are possible, and a further 21 suggesting they are are likely.
Flood warnings are in place for the following locations:
- Queen's Drive, New Mill Road and Samson Avenue
- Bridge of Allan
- Aberfoyle
- Spey Dam to Newtonmore
- Sluggan to Dulnain Bridge
- Newtonmore to Kingussie
- Kingussie to Kincraig
- Kincraig to Inverdruie
- Grantown to Aberlour
- Spey Viaduct to Spey Bay
- Boat O'Brig to Spey Viaduct
- Aviemore/Dalfaber to Grantown
- Aviemore/Dalfaber
- Aberlour, Craigellachie and Dandaleith
- Romannobridge to Lyne Station
- Upper Tay
- Innerpeffray to Bridge of Earn
- Glen Lyon
- Crieff to Innerpeffray
- Carse of Lennoch to Lochlane
And flood alerts are in place for the following locations:
- Ayrshire and Arran
- Central
- Edinburgh and Lothians
- Findhorn Nairn Moray and Speyside
- Scottish Borders
- Tayside
- Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen City
- Argyll and Bute
- Dumfries and Galloway
- Dundee and Angus
- Easter Ross and Great Glen
- Fife
- Skye and Lochaber
- West Central Scotland
- Wester Ross
Weather warnings in place for today - recap
As Britons wake up for the weekend, many will have arisen to less-than-pleasant conditions, while others enjoy a forecast of almost wall-to-wall sunshine.
Forecasters have noted a north-south split, with Scotland bearing the brunt of today's inclement conditions.
Northern regions of the home nation have both yellow and amber weather warnings that last until 6am on Sunday, October 8, as the Met Office expects inches of rain to fall over dozens of areas.
The amber warning comes with a "danger to life" alert, and states: "Whilst much of Scotland will see a very wet period through Saturday and into early Sunday, the highlighted area is likely to see the largest rainfall totals.
"Widely 80 to 100mm of rain can be expected, with as much as 150 to 180mm possible for the wettest spots.
"Rain should slowly clear to the north of the warning area during Sunday morning."
The yellow warning has forecast potential flooding, with a "danger to life" from fast-flowing water.
The warning states: "Rain is expected to develop across many parts of Scotland during Friday afternoon but is likely to persist through much of Saturday into Sunday morning before gradually easing.
"There remains some uncertainty in the longevity and amount of rainfall, particularly across northeast Scotland and eastern portions of the Central Belt.
"However, there is an increasing likelihood of some low lying areas seeing 50 to 75mm of rain whilst over higher ground 100 to 120mm is possible, perhaps in excess of this in a few locations across western Scotland."
Train routes affected by rain
National Rail has released a list of the services impacted by the rain today, with four major routes experiencing issues.
They include:
- Avanti West Coast between London Euston / Manchester Piccadilly / Liverpool Lime Street and Glasgow Central
- Caledonian Sleeper between London Euston and Inverness / Fort William
- LNER between London Kings Cross and Inverness
- Scotrail across various routes
- TransPennine Express between Manchester / Liverpool Lime Street / Preston / Carlisle and Glasgow Central / Edinburgh
National Rail releases morning weather warning
National Rail has released a weather warning for travellers this morning, with several routes across the Midlands and Scotland affected.
The heavy rain is expected to cause suspensions and force trains to travel much slower across services.
The warning states: "An amber weather warning is in place for heavy rain across parts of north of England and Scotland this weekend.
"As a result, services on some lines will be suspended and speed restrictions will be in place."
Good morning
Welcome to our live blog. We'll be bringing you all the latest weather updates while the Met Office warning is in place across the UK.
More to follow. Have you been affected by the downpours? If so, email liam.doyle@reachplc.com
Some areas could miss downpours and bask in hot temperatures reaching 27C
Some areas may see temperature skyrocket to 27C this weekend.
While many areas across Britain will experience a rather soggy and windy weekend, some lucky parts of the country will bask in glorious sunshine and hot temperatures.
Met Office meteorologist Alex Burkill said: “The jet stream is going to push its way northwards ahead of the weekend, which will allow for some very warm air to come in from the south.
“As we go into the weekend, frontal systems will remain trailing across Scotland as this warm air moves into the south. For many further south, it will be a fine, dry day on Saturday with temperatures getting to highs of around 25C, which is unusually warm for the time of year.
“By Sunday, it’ll be a more widely dry and sunny day for many. Highs of around 26C or even 27C in isolated spots is possible.”
Britons brace for a “very wet period” this weekend
Many areas across the UK is set to be lashed with heavy downpours as the country braces for a "very wet period" starting tonight.
Some areas could see up to 180mm (7in) of rainfall.
Roads closed as floods cause travel chaos
Heavy downpours today have caused roads to close and flooded fields in north west Wales.
Intense rainfall has caused flooding on a section of the B5106 near Llanrwst.
Drivers are strongly urged to steer clear of the affected area.
Fields between Trefriw and Llanrwst, along the Afon Conwy, have also been entirely submerged.
Flood warnings for England
The Environment Agency, the UK organisation responsible for monitoring floods in England, has issued flood warnings for the home nation.
Britons living in England have been warned to anticipate potential flooding in 19 areas, with warnings split between warnings and alerts.
The six flood warnings state flooding is "expected" and include the following locations:
- Keswick Campsite
- River Ribble at Ribchester, area surrounding Blackburn Road
- River Ribble at Samlesbury, around Brockholes Reserve and Lower Brockholes Quarry
- River Ribble at Walton-le-Dale, area from Fishwick Bottoms to Railway Bridge
- Sefton Street Watercourse at Brierfield
- Walverden Water at Nelson
The remaining 13 are alerts, and are in place for the following areas:
- Lower River Lune and Conder
- Lower River Ribble and Darwen
- Lower River Wyre
- River Calder in east Lancashire
- Rivers Brathay, Rothay and Winster
- Rivers Duddon, Crake and Mill Beck
- Rivers Kent and Bela
- Upper River Aire catchment
- Upper River Derwent, Stonethwaite Beck and Derwent Water
- Upper River Ribble, Hodder
- Upper River Ure
- Upper River Wharfe
- Upper River Wyre, Brock
'Weekend of contrasts' for UK
The Met Office has predicted a "weekend of contrasts" for the UK, as some areas see wall-to-wall sun and others reckon with significant rainfall.
The agency has released a weather map portraying the stark difference between north and south this afternoon.
And the forecasters have included a breakdown of all thee incoming weather warnings.
Heavy rain for some, very warm sunshine for others - it's set to be a weekend of contrasts \ud83c\udf27\ufe0f\u2600\ufe0f
\u2014 Met Office (@metoffice) October 6, 2023
Find out what the weather will be like for you in this overview \u2b07\ufe0f pic.twitter.com/zmDPaQIHbW
'Gales or severe gales' possible in late October
The Met Office has said gales and severe gales are possible as the UK closes out October.
In the agency's more distant long-range forecast, which covers October 21 to November 3, meteorologists expect the weather will first enter an unsettled trend.
As the period winds onward, the forecast adds gales are possible, but predicts that temperatures will likely still feel mild.
The forecast states: "An unsettled start to the period, with potentially a wetter than average spell, but still with some drier interludes between periods of rain.
"Gales or severe gales possible at times, but no more than expected for the time of year.
"Later in the period there is a possibility that longer settled periods may develop, along with an enhanced risk of overnight fog.
"Temperatures likely milder than average overall with reduced risk of overnight frost."
Weather maps show some strong gusts in store for the country, with streaks of red and purple displayed on charts supplied by WXCharts.
RNLI advice to coastal Scots
The RNLI has issued advice for people living on the coast of Scotland, where recent storms have whipped up the seas.
While Britons should stay away from the coast and open water during the severe weather, RNLI National Water Safety Partner Samantha Hughes has advised people on how to survive if they are pulled out to sea.
She said: “Remember to float to live.
"Tilt your head back with your ears submerged, try to relax and breathe normally, move your hands to help you stay afloat.
"When it is safe, then swim to safety or call for help. If you see someone else in danger at the coast, please call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard."
UK to be hotter than Crete this weekend
Temperatures in the UK will rival Mediterranean nations this weekend.
If the country reaches 28C, the mercury will exceed that in Crete by approximately 3C, with the Greek Island expected to hit just 24C on Saturday.
In Ibiza, temperatures are expected to reach 26C, with both retaining the heat for much of the coming week.
The UK, however, will gradually cool, with the mercury likely dropping to meet October's historical average, forecasters expect.
Flood alerts for Scotland
Local flood monitoring service the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) has issued warnings for people affected by heavy rain this week.
The weather agency has issued flood alerts for 14 regions, with "extensive" impacts from the heavy rain.
Affected areas include:
- Angus
- Ayrshire
- Argyll and Bute
- Highlands
- North-east Scotland
- Scottish Borders
Ruth Ellis, Sepa's deputy flood manager, said: "This is a major rainfall event as we are expecting to see significant prolonged heavy rain throughout Saturday across the southern Highlands and western Central Belt, with further heavy rain in the north on Sunday.
"We're likely to see extensive river and surface water flooding impacts, including property flooding and widespread transport disruption."
Exact day of 25C mini October heatwave
The October heatwave has been touted as a final summery hurrah, with temperatures predicted to rise towards 30C for one last time in 2023.
Weather maps have shown heat building across the UK for weeks, and forecasters have now told people when the mini-heatwave will begin and end.
Speaking to Express.co.uk, a meteorologist has said the the heat will arrive from today (October 6), and gradually build over the weekend.
Temperatures have been tipped to hit between 25C and 28C over October 7 and 8, and comparable highs will remain until the coming Tuesday.
Weather maps for this weekend
Maps show the vast contrast this weekend.
Hot plumes of air will push over the south - with the north expected to see far colder temperatures.
Maps also show the isolated wall of rain which will push over the north of England and much of Scotland.
The north south weather divide explained
Temperatures in parts of the UK are set to reach figures higher than the Greek island of Crete this weekend.
Met Office Chief Meteorologist Neil Armstrong said: “Prolonged heavy rain is expected to cause widespread disruption for much of Scotland. While Saturday into Sunday will be widely very wet for Scotland, the heaviest, most disruptive, rain is expected in western and central Scotland, as is reflected in our warnings.
“Within the Amber warning area, 80-100mm of rain is likely quite widely, with as much as 150-180mm possible in some of the wettest spots. Rain is expected to slowly clear to the north during Sunday morning. We’ll continue to review warnings so it’s important for everyone to stay up to date with the latest forecast for their area.”
In the south, however, highs of 26C are expected inland - with London and surrounding areas due to potentially break heat records for October.
Yellow warning: Which areas are affected?
A yellow weather warning for rain comes into play slightly earlier - at midnight tonight. It also covers a wider part of the country.
Amber warning: Which areas are affected?
The Met Office map
As you can see, the weather map shows large parts of Scotland will see rain - with a smaller, concentrated area under the amber warning.
Good morning
Hello - and welcome to our live blog.
We will be bringing you the latest weather updates which come after the Met Office issued an amber weather alert for rain, dominating parts of Scotland.
This weekend the weather will be a tale of two halves - with southern England baking in potential heatwave-worthy temperatures.
But Scottish regions will suffer extreme rainfall which the forecaster has warned will pose a 'danger to life.
Stay with us for more.