Train services across part of Scotland have been suspended after the Met Office issued an amber alert for rain and floods.
Two rail companies have advised customers not to attempt to travel to Scotland on Saturday.
The Met Office has issued a yellow rain warning covering much of Scotland with rainfall of 50-75mm forecast in low-lying areas and close to 100mm on higher ground.
A separate amber warning covers central Scotland, Tayside and Fife from 3am on Saturday to 6am the following day.
The Met Office said this area could get as much as 150-180mm of rainfall accumulating in the wettest spots.
Avanti West Coast advised customers between Scotland and Preston not to travel, and confirmed there would be no services running north of the latter.
Transpenine Express services between Manchester, Liverpool, Preston to Carlisle and Glasgow and Edinburgh are also affected.
Northern and southern parts of the UK will continue to have contrasting weather this weekend, with high temperatures and torrential rainfall affecting different areas.
Fine and dry weather in southern and central England could result in temperatures rising as high as 25C by Sunday afternoon.
Oli Claydon, a spokesperson for the Met Office, said: “For the south of the UK, we’ve got slightly ridged conditions and higher pressure bringing a more settled day with a fair amount of sunshine around.
“(It will be) dry for pretty much everyone in the southern half of the country and unseasonably warm temperatures as well.
“As we get into the very far north of England and into Scotland that’s where the difference starts, with some persistent and heavy rain across Scotland and mostly notably in western Scotland, where we’re likely to see the highest totals.”
Scotland’s national train operator, ScotRail, has announced a series of cancellations expected to take place until Sunday morning due to the adverse weather conditions.
From 1am on Saturday, the West Highland line, which operates in Oban, Mallaig and Fort William, will be suspended.
The Helensburgh Central/Balloch to Dalmuir service will also stop, though services between Dalmuir and Glasgow will remain in operation.
Services on the Highland Main Line route between Perth and Inverness will also cease.
ScotRail said the majority of other routes across its network would also be affected due to temporary speed restrictions put in place as a safety precaution.
Customers have been advised to travel only when necessary, to expect delays and to check their journey before setting off.
Network Rail Scotland also advised it would invoke speed limits in the interest of public safety.
On X, formerly known as Twitter, a spokesperson said: “Yellow and Amber warnings in place in some areas due to extreme rainfall.
“180mm (a month’s worth) could fall in just 36 hours, widespread flooding likely.
“We’ll close three lines and limit speeds on all others during this to keep everyone safe.”
Ruth Ellis, the flood duty manager for the Scottish Environment…
2023-10-07 04:23:15
Article from www.theguardian.com