Prepare for a Wild Hogmanay: Stormy Weather Tips Ahead!

The rain and snow warning encompasses the Strathclyde area, which includes Glasgow, East Ayrshire, and South Lanarkshire, extending to Edinburgh and West Lothian in the east. It moves northward across the remainder of the country, with the exception of Orkney and Shetland.

Heavy rainfall is predicted to be continuous and widespread throughout Monday and Tuesday, with potential flooding risks.

Certain regions could receive up to 140mm of rain, with western Scotland expected to experience the most severe conditions.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) is alerting communities in the north-western and central Highlands , external to brace themselves for possible flooding.

Considerable snowfall is anticipated in regions north and east of Perthshire, as well as within the area itself, particularly on elevated ground.

Approximately 10-20cm of snow is expected to settle at higher elevations, with several centimetres possible at lower altitudes.

Snow is likely to transition back to rain as warmer air moves in, with snowmelt expected to contribute to flooding in certain locations.

The Met Office cautioned that strong winds may “intensify” problems, highlighting the likelihood of blizzard-like conditions over elevated terrain and across much of Sutherland and Caithness.

In Orkney, snowfall is projected to begin in the early hours of New Year’s Eve.

This is anticipated to persist throughout much of the day before shifting to showers in the evening. Up to 20cm is expected, primarily across the mainland and Hoy.

Concurrently, strong and gusty southwesterly winds are expected to develop across southern Scotland on Tuesday morning, changing to westerly in the evening.

Wind gusts of 50mph to 60mph are anticipated, possibly reaching 70mph in certain exposed areas.