Heavy rain and flooding sparks travel chaos in Scotland ahead of New Year celebrations

Heavy rain resulting in widespread flooding across southern and central parts of Scotland has brought travel disruption in the run-up to Hogmanay.

Some had been preparing to ring in the New Year in Edinburgh’s traditional style for the first time since the outbreak of COVID in early 2020.

The poor weather came after the Met Office issued an amber warning for rain in southern parts of Scotland on Friday and a yellow warning in much of the rest of the country.

It sparked landslips and widespread flooding – causing severe disruption for the rail network in Scotland.

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Saturday’s fairer conditions allowed some restoration works to take place, although more rain and snow are forecast for the start of 2023.

Those looking to travel to and from Scotland on the TransPennine Express are being urged not to travel today due to the bad weather.

“The West Coast Mainline will be closed between Carlisle and Scotland whilst Network Rail carries out inspections on the damage caused by the extreme weather and then work to repair the damage,” the company added.

But, rain, snow and ice are expected to cause disruption across parts of Scotland on Sunday.

Meanwhile, a yellow warning for rain has been issued across much of England’s southwest and southern Wales until 9pm on Saturday, while disruption is expected across the Scottish Highlands where there are warnings for ice until 11am and snow until 3pm.

Forecasters have said the deadly bomb cyclone that sent temperatures plunging in the US over Christmas is causing the unsettled weather in the UK.

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Met Office deputy chief meteorologist Helen Caughey said it would be an “unsettled” New Year weekend for much of the UK.

“New Year’s Eve for most will be the wetter of the two days, with a number of fronts bringing rain and wind across much of the country,” Ms Caughey said.

“The unsettled weather will stay with us into the evening. Much of Scotland will see a largely dry day, with just the odd shower, before a more persistent band of rain and hill snow arrives.

“This will be followed by a more mixed New Year’s Day, with Scotland seeing the bulk of the unsettled conditions, with spells of rain, turning to snow over higher ground, continuing to push north.

“While it will be mild across the south, it will remain colder in the north with an ice risk in places here early on Sunday.

“Elsewhere, a drier day is expected, although with some showers, mainly across western areas, ahead of conditions becoming more widely settled into Monday.”