Aberdeen is bracing itself for flooding and further winter weather disruption as the north-east faces a yellow warning extension, with three days of heavy rain expected.
The Met Office indicated that “persistent and heavy” rainfall was expected across Aberdeenshire, Moray, and parts of the Highlands. The yellow warning commences at 6pm today (Wednesday 21st January) and continues until late on Friday (23rd January). There is a likelihood of low-level impacts, including a risk of flooding, given the nature of the ground following recent rain and snow thaw, as well as potential disruption to travel, as spray and flooding on roads could lead to difficult driving conditions.
Rainfall accumulations are predicted to range between 30 and 60 millimetres inland, with higher elevations exposed to brisk southeasterly winds potentially receiving as much as 80 to 120 millimetres. While coastal areas were forecast to experience less rainfall, strong winds and large waves presented additional hazards.
This period of heavy rain follows a chaotic start to the year for North-East Scotland, after the region was battered by severe snowstorms, which brought travel to a standstill and led Aberdeenshire Council to declare a “major incident”. The extensive snowfall resulted in widespread school closures and rendered numerous roads impassable for days, severely disrupting daily life and local business operations.
