Met Office issues amber warning as Scotland braces for power cuts, flooding and major travel disruption…reports Asian Lite News
Scotland is bracing itself for the full force of Storm Amy after the Met Office upgraded its warning from yellow to amber across much of the north and west of the country. Winds are forecast to reach 60-70mph widely, with some exposed coastal and highland areas at risk of gusts exceeding 95mph. The storm, which forecasters describe as unusually potent for this early stage of the season, is expected to peak between 17:00 on Friday and 09:00 on Saturday.
The amber warning covers Argyll, the Highlands and Islands, Moray and Orkney, with the potential for widespread damage to trees, buildings and power infrastructure. The Met Office has also issued a broader yellow warning for all of Scotland, Northern Ireland and much of northern and western England and Wales, in place from 15:00 on Friday until midnight on Saturday.
Alongside the winds, Amy is forecast to bring heavy rainfall, with between 20mm and 30mm falling widely in just six to nine hours. Over higher ground in the south-west and the southern Highlands, totals could rise to 40-50mm, raising the risk of flooding in already saturated areas.
Met Office chief forecaster Neil Armstrong warned that the storm could have a serious impact. “Within the amber warning area, gusts in excess of 95mph are possible from Friday evening into Saturday morning. Rainfall is an additional hazard, in particular over western Scotland, where totals could exceed 30-50mm in six to nine hours, increasing the risk of flooding for some. This will be an impactful autumn storm for many.”
Weather experts stressed that Amy was unusually intense for early October. They warned: “These are damaging winds that will bring down trees – which are still in leaf – and cause disruption to power supplies. Some parts of western Scotland will see a couple of weeks of rainfall within the first few days of the month.” They added that while conditions would gradually ease into Saturday, the strongest winds would transfer to the Northern Isles, where gusts of up to 75mph may continue into Sunday.
The memory of Storm Éowyn, which struck in January and left large swathes of Scotland battered under a red “danger to life” warning, looms large. That storm caused significant structural damage and power outages across the central belt and south-west. Authorities fear Amy could bring similar levels of disruption, although the current alert stops short of a red warning.
Experts say Amy’s development is linked to Hurricane Humberto in the western Atlantic. Atmospheric scientists explained that the storm underwent “explosive cyclogenesis” – a rapid intensification process – as it tapped into the jet stream. One forecaster described the phenomenon as “a little bit like a surfer catching a wave. In this case, the wave is the jet stream, and Amy has caught it to perfection.”
The effects of the storm are expected to be widespread. Transport Scotland has warned that drivers face hazardous conditions, particularly in the amber warning areas. Douglas Cairns, the organisation’s operations manager, said: “We’re likely to see quite a bit of disruption with that warning in place, so we are asking travellers to plan ahead and be aware of the conditions.” He urged drivers to carry extra clothing, food and water, and to inform family members of travel plans in case of emergencies.
West coast ferry operator CalMac has already cautioned passengers of likely service disruption, advising them to check for updates before travelling. The AA has also issued warnings, with its spokesperson Shaun Jones describing Amy as “a serious weather event”. He said: “High winds can make handling a vehicle more difficult, especially for high-sided vehicles. Surface water can hide potholes or cause aquaplaning. If you come across a flooded road, we recommend you find an alternative route rather than risking driving through floodwater.”
Forecasters say conditions will gradually improve into Sunday for most of the country, with a return to calmer weather. However, the storm will serve as an early reminder of how volatile autumn weather can be in the UK, particularly as climate shifts fuel the likelihood of more powerful and disruptive storms.
For now, Scotland remains firmly in the path of Storm Amy, with emergency services and travel operators on high alert. Residents are being urged to secure outdoor belongings, stay indoors during the storm’s peak, and keep a close eye on the Met Office’s evolving guidance.
