Capital is braced for another battering by extreme gales

EDINBURGH is braced for more bad weather today as gales and blizzards continue to batter the country.

Forecasters issued severe weather warnings for the whole of Scotland, with gales and heavy snow predicted.

The high winds brought down trees in some parts of the city last night, including Dinmont Drive, off Old Dalkieth Road, The Inch, where one smashed through a parked car.

The tree smashed through a garden hedge and onto a Mercedes.

Motorists look set to face more treacherous driving conditions, today while ferry passengers may also have to endure disruption.

Lothian and Borders Police said that snow had caused a few minor accidents in the area.

Heavy winds have also forced the Forth Road Bridge to close to high-sided vehicles again today.

Yesterday, the bridge closed north-bound for several hours after a lorry overturned in high winds, though it later reopened.

The Met Office said that the west coast of Scotland had been particularly badly hit by gales in the early hours of this morning, while northern Scotland will bear the brunt of blizzards today.

Police advised people to take extra care when travelling.

The weather caused problems across the country yesterday.

Restrictions were put in place on the Tay and Erskine bridges, and further north there were also warnings on the Skye and Kessock bridges.

Gusts of 75mph were recorded in Campbeltown in Argyll, while 55mph gusts hit Glasgow Airport.

In the south west, fallen trees led to road closures and blocked a number of minor roads.

Around Aberdeenshire, police warned that heavy snows, fallen trees, and a number of other minor incidents were causing problems for motorists.

The weather also affected ferry services, with many sailings cancelled.

Around 2000 Scottish Power customers were left without power because of the weather, but the company said it was working to restore service.

Forecasters from MeteoGroup said that exposed western coast areas would see the worst of the winds early this morning, with gale force winds expected. Today the northern Highlands will be worst hit by blizzards, which will create "atrocious" conditions.

Rob Hutchinson, forecaster with MeteoGroup, said: "There is a low pressure system sitting just to the north of Scotland that will move into the North Sea, and this will bring some very strong winds.

"The very worst conditions will be in north Scotland.

"In the Highlands there will be drifting snow and blizzards, and atrocious conditions."

The whole of Scotland is likely to experience some sleet and snow and temperatures are expected to be 3C or 4C today.

The winds are likely to ease later in the day but forecasters said this would bring a drop in temperature. The mercury could plunge as low as –10C in glens in the Highlands today into tomorrow night, and –3C or –4C in central Scotland.