The Met Office issued a UK weather warning 70 mph winds for parts of the Scottish Highlands and Outer Hebrides on Wednesday. The yellow wind warning runs from 10am to 7pm, with the strongest gusts expected in exposed locations.
Forecasters put the general wind range at 50 to 60 mph, but late morning into early afternoon could bring gusts of around 70 mph in exposed coastal and hilly spots. People in the Scottish Highlands and Outer Hebrides are being told to check road conditions, review bus and train timetables and amend travel plans if needed.
Scottish Highlands and Outer Hebrides
The warning matters most for people using roads, air and ferry services during the middle of Wednesday. High-sided vehicles on exposed routes and bridges are also likely to face delays, while some short-term loss of power and other services is possible.
The Met Office also advised people to prepare for a power cut by gathering torches, batteries and a mobile phone power pack. That advice reflects the spread between the broader 50 to 60 mph forecast and the sharper 70 mph gusts in the most exposed places.
Wednesday and northwest Scotland
The windy spell is expected to ease over Wednesday afternoon and into the evening. Later on Wednesday, heavy rain is forecast to move into northwest Scotland, adding a second weather change after the wind warning begins to ease.
Across the rest of the UK, the wider forecast points to a band of rain moving across England and Wales, then brighter and fresher conditions after it clears. Cooler air moves in by Friday, and the weekend is expected to be largely dry and bright.
