Forecasters have warned of “danger to life” as Scotland prepares to be battered by the remnants of a tropical storm.
Stormy weather from ex-Hurricane Ophelia will batter Scotland with winds of more than 70mph starting on Monday, with forecasters warning that Dundee and the surrounding area will be hit.
The Met Office has now extended its previous severe “yellow” weather warning for wind on Tayside and Fife. The stormy conditions are now expected from Monday into Tuesday afternoon.
Strathclyde, the Highlands, the Western Isles, The Borders, Lothian, Dumfries and Galloway are all subject to similar warnings.
The predicted path of the ex-hurricane has changed and will now affect parts of the east coast of Scotland and not the north-west.
Forecasters have warned of travel disruption, 80mph winds, “danger to life” from flying debris and power cuts.
The worst of the weather in Courier Country is expected on Monday.
The Met Office said: “A spell of very windy weather is likely on Monday in association with ex-Ophelia.
“Road, rail, air and ferry services may be affected, with longer journeys times and cancellations possible.
“Power cuts may occur, with the potential to affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage.
“Some damage to buildings, such as tiles blown from roofs could happen, perhaps leading to injuries and danger to life from flying debris.
“Coastal routes, sea fronts and coastal communities may be affected by spray and/or large waves.
“The warning has been updated to extend the area at risk further east, taking in much of northern England and Wales along with parts of southern and central Scotland. At the same time, much of northwest Scotland has been removed.”
The Met Office’s chief forecaster added: “Very strong winds are forecast to affect most western and some central parts of the UK during Monday.
“These strong winds are forecast in association with the northward track of ex-Ophelia across or near to the west of the British Isles.
“Southerly winds are most likely to gust between 55 and 65 mph across much of the warning area with the potential for gusts of 80 mph in coastal areas, particularly on the eastern side of Northern Ireland.
“Please see separate amber warning for Northern Ireland. The very strong winds will probably extend to parts of northern England along with some southern and central parts of Scotland in the evening as winds veer more southwesterly across the whole warning area.
“Heavy rain is also possible in association with this system in parts of Northern Ireland and western Scotland.”
