Storm Ali disrupts travel across Scotland with high winds
Major traffic disruption has been caused by Storm Ali as Scotland is set to be hit by winds of up to 80mph.
Rail, roads and ferry services have all been affected by the severe weather conditions on Wednesday.
The Met Office updated its amber weather warning of wind, saying there is a high likelihood of impacts across a swathe of the UK.
Is there any need to comment?? @WhinhillGC#StormAli#Inverclyde#Greenockpic.twitter.com/mzqhMTkmLh
— Ronnie Blair (@RonnyBlair59) September 19, 2018
Power cuts and flying debris are possible as the first named storm of the season sweeps through the country.
The weather alert, which is in place until 6pm on Wednesday, warns that flying debris is likely and could lead to injuries or danger to life.
There is also potential for damage to buildings, fallen trees, travel cancellations, more road closures and large waves in coastal areas.
Heading out for lunch today? It'll be windy with sunny spells in the southeast with some rain affecting rain Wales and southwest England. Strong winds and rain for Northern Ireland, northern England and Scotland #StormAlipic.twitter.com/1xcuOO60Ln
— Met Office (@metoffice) September 19, 2018
It covers the southern half of Scotland and the north-east coast.
A less severe yellow warning for wind is in place across the whole of Scotland until Wednesday night.
A spokesman for the Met Office said winds of up to 80mph are expected on parts of the western coast, while inland will see gales of between 65mph and 75mph.
Dundrennan, Dumfries and Galloway, has had gusts reaching 77 mph.
All vehicles and pedestrians have been stopped from using the Forth Road Bridge, while the Queensferry Crossing has been shut to high-sided vehicles and double-decker buses.
Storm Ali making an appearance on the Forth… #StormAli#LoveScotland@BBCScotWeather@bbcweather@EDI_Airport@edinburgh@Edinburgh_CC@VisitScotland@BBCScotland@trafficscotland@BBCNews@NetworkRailSCOT@RNLI@NewForthBridge@LoveQueensferry@metofficepic.twitter.com/9phICDmuHO
— Ruth Donaldson (@RuthDonaldson) September 19, 2018
Restrictions were also put in place on the Skye Bridge due to strong gales.
At around 10am part of the A75 in Dumfries and Galloway, near the Collin bypass, was blocked for about an hour due to a fallen tree.
Dumfries and Galloway Virtual Operations Support Team (VOST) reported similar incidents had occurred across the region.
The high winds are bringing tree's down right across the region. We have people who are becoming stuck on roads as tree's fall in front of them and then behind. If you can delay your journey until later in the day it may well be worth considering this. pic.twitter.com/RsMYUft79e
— DGVost (@DGVost) September 19, 2018
The Highland main line was shut by rail operators after a freight train was derailed during high winds.
At around 1.40am a northbound service struck tree branches and left the track near Culloden.
No trains are running between Inverness and Perth but ScotRail said they expect the line to reopen in the early afternoon.
Oh hiya #StormAli, welcome to Perthshire… pic.twitter.com/f3KEJsgZO1
— Sarah Mackie (@lumi_1984) September 19, 2018
A spokesman said: “Specialist engineers and lifting equipment are on their way to the site and we will re-rail the engine and reopen the line as soon as possible.”
Some bus services have also been suspended due to the weather.