‘Danger to life’ this weekend as Storm Malik hits at 80mph

SEVERE gales are set to batter Scotland, with gusts of up to 80mph bringing a ‘danger to life’.

The Met Office has issued yellow and amber weather warnings for this weekend as Storm Malik hits.

Much of the country will feel the effects of the tempest, with disruption to road, rail, air and ferry services expected.

Winds of up to 80mph could blast exposed coastal areas, but gusts of 60mph are expected more widely.

Central, Tayside and Fife, Grampian, South-West Scotland, Lothian and the Borders are under amber warnings today and at risk of power cuts and road closures. The same areas have been told to prepare for probable damage to buildings, with the Met Office stating ‘injuries and danger to life could occur from flying debris and large waves’.

The rest of Scotland is under yellow warnings for today, with much of the country subject to these warnings until Monday.

Winds of up to 60mph are expected, with Moray, north Aberdeenshire and the Lothians expected to experience ‘short periods of gusts in excess of 75mph’.

The first yellow warning began today at 4am and lasts till 3pm, affecting Central, Tayside and Fife, Grampian, and Highlands and Western Isles.

The more serious amber warning runs from 7am to 3pm. A third warning, for Orkney and Shetland, predicts winds of up to 80mph and lasts from noon until 8pm. While most of Scotland is expected to be under yellow warnings tomorrow and Monday, Orkney and Shetland are expected to see winds ease.

It comes after Storm Arwen’s 90mph winds brought days-long power cuts late last year.

Met Office chief meteorologist Paul Gundersen said: ‘The impacts of Storm Malik are going to be greatest in Denmark on Sunday, but the track of the storm in the preceding hours means that the UK will be dealt a glancing blow as Malik moves eastwards on Saturday. For those in the North, there will be high winds and rain on Saturday, with showers possibly turning wintry in the high ground.

‘The highest winds are expected in exposed coastal areas in the North and East of Scotland.’

AccuWeather meteorologist Renee Duff said gusts were the main concern ‘but there will also be soaking rain across Scotland from Friday night into Saturday morning’.

Network Rail has said speed restrictions will affect parts of some lines, including DundeeAberdeen, Aberdeen-Inverness, Far North, West Highland and Kyle, into the afternoon today.

The East Coast mainline, North Berwick branch line and Borders Railway will also be affected. Passengers are advised to allow extra time for journeys and check with train operators to find out about any changes.

Liam Sumpter, Network Rail route director for Scotland, said: ‘We have teams in place across the country ready to react quickly to any damage caused by the weather.’