Scotland braces for impact as 85mph Atlantic storm smashes Christmas shoppers

IT’S the Perfect Storm on the shortest day of the year – an 85mph tempest set to wreck the seasonal build-up to Christmas.

Festive travellers have been warned to expect delays and cancellations as the final weekend before the big day arrives with warnings for wind, rain, thunder and snow.

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Airports are prepared to deal with thousands of stranded passengers if flights are cancelled or diverted, should it become unsafe to fly.

On the roads, bridges could close and the Met Office has raised the prospect of vehicles being overturned by hurricane-force winds.

Retailers are also anxiously awaiting footfall figures, as shoppers may think twice about rushing out to buy last-minute Xmas gifts.

In Glasgow, Queen Street in the city centre had to be shut to traffic and pedestrians after masonry fell from the top of a building to the pavement below.

A crane was brought in to stabilise the baluster part of a stone railing on the roof. Parts of Argyle Street, Union Street, Ingram Street, Mitchell Street and Mitchell Lane were also closed.

Ferry passengers on the west coast may have missed the boat to travel to and from the islands in time for Christmas.

Operator Cal Mac had suggested anyone hoping to travel should have done so by yesterday, now that the service is liable to widespread cancellations.

Weekend sailings on a number of routes have already been axed, including Ardrossan to Brodick and Mallaig to Armadale on Skye.

The cause of the trouble is a deep area of low pressure, rotating now just south of Iceland.

Meanwhile, the prospect of a White Christmas has all but evaporated, with forecasters predicting Christmas Day temperatures 10 degrees Celsius higher than normal for the time of year in eastern and northeastern Scotland.

A spokesperson for the Met Office said: “We have slightly tweaked our weather warnings as the peak winds have now shifted slightly north.

“The strongest winds are expected across the far north of Scotland on Saturday afternoon and evening, with the potential for gusts in excess of 80 mph in coastal districts, including Orkney.

“Dangerous coastal conditions can be expected too, with large waves an additional hazard, especially in respect to causeways.

“This period of strong winds may lead to some transport disruption, including ferry delays or cancellations.”

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Frequent blustery showers will also be a feature on Saturday and may merge into a longer spell of rain for a time in the far north and north west.

Those showers could turn to snow on the hills in the north west of Scotland tomorrow evening, and then overnight and into Sunday.

This prospect of wintry showers extends to Northern Ireland, southern Scotland and northern England.

Snow will be focused over hills, where several cm may fall, but some sleet, snow and hail may fall to quite low levels for a time, bringing possible icy conditions by Sunday morning.

The Met Office added: “The strong winds will be more widespread on Sunday, with gusts of 50-60 mph expected quite widely.

“Around some exposed coasts and hills, gusts of 60 to 70 mph are possible, especially in the north and west.”

All of Scotland is now covered by the wind warnings, which kick in at 7am tomorrow and last until 9pm on Sunday.

Football fans will be crisscrossing the country for a busy day of matches today and tomorrow.

Ross County supporters face the long trek to Paisley for their club’s game with St Mirren. Dundee fans will travel to Glasgow for this afternoon’s game with Rangers.

On Sunday it will be the turn of Celtic fans to travel to Dundee for the clash with United.