Flooding strikes parts of UK as effects of deadly US storm bring heavy rain and snow

Travel has been disrupted in Scotland as the UK is hit by the effects of the deadly bomb cyclone that struck the US ahead of Christmas.

The Met Office issued weather warnings for rain, snow and ice across Scotland before the system’s arrival on Friday.

They include an amber alert for heavy rain in parts of Dumfries and Galloway, as well as the Scottish Borders, with around 40-50mm expected.

Northern Scotland is covered by warnings for snow and ice.

The main problems encountered by those on the move so far appear to be on the trains.

Scotrail reported flooding forcing the suspension of several services.

They included all North Clyde lines, Glasgow Central – Edinburgh via Shotts and Wemyss Bay – Port Glasgow.

It added that all other services were running but speed restrictions were likely.

Motorists have also been warned of difficult driving conditions – with a growing number of roads closed due to flooding and accidents.

They included the A8 in Greenock which has become impassable. Many bus services were also suspended.

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Police urged people to consider delaying travel plans until conditions improve.

The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) has issued 10 flood alerts and 27 warnings, including Pollok Country Park in Glasgow.

Scotland is being worst hit by the weather problems linked to the so-called bomb cyclone that struck much of the United States in the run-up to the festive season.

Plunging temperatures and up to six feet of snow across multiple states left more than 50 dead.

Met Office meteorologist Simon Partridge said: “The UK weather is going to remain unsettled with further spells of wet and windy weather due to the strengthening of the jet stream because of the weather in the US.

“The effect it’s having on the UK is nowhere near as dramatic because that system has brought up a lot of cold air further south, across the US.

“Indeed, the cyclone is only having an effect on the UK due to its impact on the North Atlantic jet stream.

“What effect (the bomb cyclone) has had is to strengthen the jet stream, because the jet stream is basically driven by temperature differences.

“So the starker the difference in temperature between the northern edge of it and southern edge, the stronger the jet stream becomes.”

He said the knock-on effect for the UK is spells of wet and windy weather over the next seven to 10 days.