Scotland’s flood warning authority is monitoring river levels and the potential for flooding as temperatures begin to rise.
The Met Office is forecasting higher temperatures for the next few days as the thaw sets in and that has put the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) on the alert.
There is likely to be a steady rise in river levels across the country and a greater risk of flooding, while areas with rain will see a more rapid thaw, leading to localised flooding.
Last night there were five flood watches in place for Edinburgh and Lothian, Orkney and Falkirk rivers, the Borders and the Kyle of Sutherland, with local responders ready to act on threats.
Rivers in Perth and Kinross which regularly experience high water levels following heavy rain are so far unaffected by the melt but continue to be closely monitored.
A weather system approaching from the south-west is anticipated to bring heavy rain to large areas of Scotland from late tomorrow evening through Saturday.
SEPA’s Floodline can be contacted 24 hours a day on 0845 988 1188 or by visiting www.sepa.org.uk/flooding.
