A week of turbulent weather across Tayside and Fife could end with 80mph storms – but not before locals enjoy a day of unseasonably high temperatures.
A week that has already brought a downpour and flood alerts to the area may end with travel chaos and power cuts with a Met Office yellow warning coming into force in the region between 5am and 9pm on Friday.
A yellow warning for “heavy rain” came into effect across Tayside and Fife on Monday morning and is expected to endure until Tuesday evening.
A forecast for “persistent and heavy rain” also prompted a flood alert from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) for the Tayside region.
However forecasters say the mercury could soar to 20C in the local area on Wednesday before the weather takes another turn for the worse from Thursday into Friday.
According to Met Office records, the average local temperature for the second week of October is 13C. For the whole of October the Scottish figure is 11C.
Met Office meteorologist Sophie Yeomans said: “At the moment we have a weather front bringing quite a lot of heavy rainfall. Some parts of western Scotland could see 100mm (3.9in) or so, potentially far more, into Tuesday.
“It will be much better over the central and eastern end of Scotland. Through Tuesday we’ll see a few sunny breaks.
“Wednesday is fine and dry conditions, and the temperatures could see the high-teens or so. I think as we head into Wednesday it might feel quite warm. I’d expect 18C, 19C or 20C.”
The poor conditions later in the week are being caused by a weather system moving in from the Atlantic, but are not linked to Storm Leslie.
The Met Office warning for Friday states there is a “small chance of injuries and danger to life” as a result of flying debris or large waves in coastal regions, as well as damage to buildings.
The conditions could also cause delays to road, rail, air and ferry travel; as well as route and bridge closures.
Ms Yeomans added: “On Thursday we’ll see a bit more unsettled weather. It will turn wet and windy as the weather front moves in but on Friday we’ll see a stronger weather system move through. That will be bringing some heavy portions of rain but also really strong winds.
“The gales may be severe gales. That will be affecting all parts of Scotland in terms of the wind.
“At the moment, as the warning suggests, we’re going to be seeing (gusts) upwards of 60mph-70mph, possibly 80mph around really exposed areas.
“I think anywhere in the exposed areas could see that, anywhere exposed to the wind.
“The main brunt of the storm will pass through on the Friday.
“Into Saturday there will be more in the way of heavy rainfall coming through. The winds will start to ease off late on Friday into Saturday.
“Friday’s is a heads up warning. It is coming in from the Atlantic. It’s a weather system that’s developing over in the west, off the coast of America and Canada. It is not Storm Leslie, it’s a separate system.”
