Storm Ali sees 92mph winds hit Scotland
Gusts of more than 90mph have been recorded and a cruise ship has slipped its mooring as Storm Ali continues to cause major disruption across Scotland.
Rail, roads and ferry services have all been affected by the severe weather conditions on Wednesday.
The Forth Road Bridge, Clackmannanshire Bridge, Queensferry Crossing have put restrictions in place, while the Tay Road Bridge is shut to all traffic having recorded winds of nearly 92mph.
We have just recorded a wind gust of 91.7mph. We will continue to monitor the wind speeds on the Bridge and will re-open once we are confident that winds are dropping down to safe speeds. Please follow us on https://t.co/BVAZVf2IBB for latest restrictions. (13:24 19/09/18)
— Tay Road Bridge (@tay_road_bridge) September 19, 2018
Meanwhile, tug boats have been called to the Nautica vessel which slipped its berth in Greenock.
Strong winds saw the vessel – which had 478 passengers and 26 crew – leave the dock after its mooring lines parted.
There have been no reports of injuries.
All rail services between Glasgow Queen Street and Edinburgh have been suspended due to the weather.
Is there any need to comment?? @WhinhillGC#StormAli#Inverclyde#Greenockpic.twitter.com/mzqhMTkmLh
— Ronnie Blair (@RonnyBlair59) September 19, 2018
The Met Office updated its amber weather warning of wind, saying there is a high likelihood of impacts across a swathe of the UK.
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.
This afternoon: Strong winds 🌬️🍃 will persist across much of the northern half of the UK. Rain 🌧️will push NE across Scotland with showers 🌦️following behind. A little showery rain across England and Wales with winds gradually easing pic.twitter.com/LmKGsLCmXO
— 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.
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
Clackmannanshire Bridge was also closed to high-sided vehicles while restrictions were 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, as has part of the tramline in Edinburgh, due to the weather.
A section of Princes Street in Edinburgh has been closed after parts of a shop roof flew off in strong winds.
Police Scotland was alerted to lead falling from the Topshop building at around 12.30pm on Wednesday.
A cordon has been put in place on the eastern part of the street.
This is correct, I'm afraid. #StormAli is having a major impact on services across the Central Belt. We're working hard to get services back in operation as soon as we safely can. ^AD
— ScotRail (@ScotRail) September 19, 2018
Meanwhile, South Bridge Street has been shut between Chambers Street and the High Street after lead fell from the Tron Kirk at around 12.10pm.
There have been no injuries in either incident.
Morotists have been urged to be careful on the roads
AMBER WEATHER WARNING
Due to Storm Ali, there is a lot of debris on the roads through the North East. If you do need to travel, please remember to take your time and make yourself visible. #ABZTravelpic.twitter.com/udIv02rPM8
— NorthEastPolice (@NorthEPolice) September 19, 2018
North-east road policing inspector Neil Morrison said: “Conditions are very blustery at the moment and the high winds are expected to remain in our area until later this evening.
“I would urge all motorists to drive carefully and with caution, especially on country roads where potential hazards could be around corners.
“Reduce your speed and leave plenty of space between you and the vehicle in front.”