STORM force winds and heavy rains swept across Scotland last night bringing fears of serious flooding and disrupting the transport system.
The Met Office issued a severe weather warning for southern and western parts of the country, warning winds could reach 90mph in isolated places overnight.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) issued a severe flood warning for the Wat
er of Leith in Edinburgh at 9pm last night saying water was rising rapidly and that a further 10mm of rain was expected within two hours.
Their website warned: "This means that severe flooding is expected for the area, affecting many homes and businesses, main roads and large areas of land.
"There is a serious danger to life and property. Act now to protect yourself, your family and your home or business."
Conditions were so bad SEPA issued a total of four warnings identifying flooding expected from Dumbarton to the Kingston Bridge in Glasgow; the Ayrshire and Inverclyde Coast including Arran; the Argyll and Bute coast and the River Nith including Dumfries.
Renfrew and Dumbarton were expected to be worst hit as high tides, storm surges and potentially severe gales combined around 1.45am this morning.
Flood watches – indicating flooding was possible – was issued for 16 areas across Scotland.
Areas affected included the Borders, the Lower and Upper Tay, the Western Isles and the Shetland Isles.
SEPA said it was unable to issue an "all clear" status for any part of the country.
Southern Scotland got the first of the high-speed gusts yesterday evening.
The Forth Road Bridge was closed to high-sided vehicles last night as storms battered Fife. Police said roads in the area were flooded.
Ferry services between Northern Ireland and Scotland were suspended last night because of the gale-force winds.
Stena Line cancelled both fast ferry and conventional ferry services between Belfast and Stranraer.
Forecasters said motorists could be put at risk, as trees and power lines were brought down by the gusts.
Snowfalls of up to 20cm were also forecast in the Highlands, although the widespread snow of a few days ago was not expected, forecasters said.
The high winds will continue this morning, but will shift further north as the day draws on, leading to a bright day with blustery showers.
Transport Scotland also issued warnings of flooding and high winds around Strathclyde to motorists.
Tony Conlan, a forecaster with MeteoGroup, said: "Gusts could get up to 70 and 80mph, and could be quite damaging.
"They will be in southern parts of Scotland. Anywhere from the Borders right up to Glasgow and Edinburgh, Argyll, Perthshire and Fife.
"During the afternoon it is more central and northern parts that could get gusts up to 65 and 70mph.
These winds will definitely be strong enough to bring trees and power lines down."
