Scotland to be hit with 80mph wind gusts as Storm Boelo warning upgraded to amber

An amber alert has been issued for much of Scotland over the weekend, with Storm Boelo expected to bring strong winds, flying debris and potential power cuts.

It is the second of two storms due to hit Scotland within days, with Storm Austen's wet and windy conditions already causing some disruption to transport.

The latest Met Office warnings include a yellow warning for rain in central and eastern areas from 07:00 on Friday until midnight.

Meanwhile, the wind alert for Storm Boelo has been upgraded from yellow to amber for the whole mainland and the Western Isles, lasting from 21:00 on Saturday until 21:00 on Sunday. Orkney remains under the yellow alert.

Transport Scotland said road, rail, air and ferry services were all likely to be affected by the conditions, with longer journey times and cancellations possible, as well as potential restrictions on bridges and other exposed routes.

Although the 24-hour amber warning is not unprecedented, it is unusual because of the length of time it will be in place over such a wide geographical area.

The forecast has triggered a meeting of the Scottish government's resilience room, which ensures the country is prepared for severe weather events.

The worst effects of Storm Austen have so far been seen across England and Wales with thousands losing power.

However, forecasters say some areas of Scotland could experience 60-80mm (2.4-3.1in) of rain on Friday with flooding likely.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) has advised people across much of the mainland to prepare for flooding by issuing its own amber alerts.

Currently there are no official flood warnings - which are more severe than alerts as they mean flooding is expected. However BBC readers have sent in photos of flooded roads in Crossgatehall, East Lothian on Friday afternoon.

Network Rail Scotland said that trains on Friday would be slowed down to keep people safe in the areas expected to see the heaviest rain, meaning some journeys would take longer.

Speed restrictions will be in place on parts of the West Coast Main Line and East Coast Main Line, as well as routes across southern and eastern Scotland.

Paisley's popular Halloween festival is due to take place this weekend, which includes a parade, street theatre and outdoor light installations.

Renfrewshire Council said Friday's programme would go ahead as planned, but that an update on Saturday's events would be provided closer to the time.

Meanwhile, Friday's Scottish Cup tie between Penicuik Athletic and Clyde has been postponed because of heavy rain.

And a Halloween family fun day at Dean Park Castle and Country Park in Kilmarnock, scheduled for Sunday, has been postponed due to the weather warning.

On Saturday, Storm Boelo will bring very strong westerly winds with widespread gusts of 60-70mph (96.6-112.7km/h), and gusts up to 80mph (128.7km/h) in exposed coastal areas.

The strongest winds will initially affect western Scotland and the far north of Northern Ireland on Saturday evening and then spread eastwards overnight and through Sunday.

This will be accompanied by periods of heavy rain and frequent showers.

Forecasters warned that flying debris could cause injuries and danger to life, with a good chance of power cuts and an impact on phone coverage.

The Met Office also warned of damage to trees and buildings, bridge closures and transport disruption.

Winds will gradually ease from the west through Sunday.

Supt Andy Barclay, deputy head of road policing for Police Scotland, urged people to consider whether journeys were "really necessary" over the weekend.

He warned:

• Stopping distances can be at least double on wet roads compared to dry conditions, and spray can reduce driver visibility
• HGV and bus drivers should drive with extreme caution and be aware you may be asked to park at a suitable position by the police
• If you need to travel, please drive to the conditions and allow extra time for your journey
• Stay tuned to media outlets for further updates and consult the Traffic Scotland website and social media channels for information relating to affected roads

Rail lines in the west and north of Scotland will close during Storm Boelo, beginning with services south and west of Kilwinning stopping from 21:00 on Saturday. The Oban and Mallaig lines will close from about 22:00.

On Sunday, the line between Kyle of Lochalsh and Achnashellach will be closed from the start of service, as well as the railway between Wick and Helmsdale.

Network Rail said trains will also run at reduced speeds across large parts of Scotland from Saturday night into Sunday.

Passengers are advised to expect significant disruption and longer journeys, and are advised to check services before they travel.

As for coastal areas, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) said that weather conditions pose a safety risk to visitors and advised "extreme caution" if people are near the shoreline, especially along exposed cliffs, seafronts and piers.

The charity's water safety lead, Michael Avril, urged people to keep a safe distance from the water as conditions "could knock you off your feet or wash you into the sea".

Away from wind and rain, the Cairngorms had snowfall on Thursday and Friday.

The Scottish Avalanche Information Service said light snowfall was expected over Scotland's summits over the next few weeks.

It said fluctuating temperatures would likely mean that any fresh snow accumulations would only last for short periods of time, but urged people to be aware of winter conditions in the hills.