Coastal communities are being warned of potential flooding in the days ahead.
High winds are battering parts of the region, bringing trees down and cancelling ferries.
The alert, which was issued by the Met Office, came into force at 4am this morning.
It remained in place until 6pm, covering large parts of the Highlands and Islands, Moray, Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.
Gusts of up to 86mph battered the summit of Cairngorm Mountain today as Ben Nevis experienced wind speeds of up to 69mph.
Flood warnings and alerts have been issued by Sepa, affecting large parts of northern Scotland – and more miserable weather is on the horizon.
The @metoffice has issued YELLOW weather warnings
Wed: WIND (22/03) 04:00 – (16/03) 22:00
For more info: https://t.co/Dzsa9roh0N pic.twitter.com/nV1cKG0D1G
— Traffic Scotland (@trafficscotland) March 21, 2023
Commuters experience travel disruption
The Dornoch Bridge was closed to high-sided vehicles due to the high winds.
Motorists crossing both the Kessock Bridge and Skye Bridge are also being encouraged to use caution amid the turbulent weather.
⌚16:11
Windy Bridges #A9 Dornoch- CLOSED to High Siders⛔ #A9 Kessock #A87 Skye #A9000 Forth#A92 Tay- Closed to Double Deckers⛔ #TakeCare and #DrivetoConditions pic.twitter.com/lZDrJWTXf9
— Traffic Scotland (@trafficscotland) March 22, 2023
Rail services between Inverness, Wick and Kyle of Lochalsh were disrupted for several hours after a train struck a fallen tree.
A ScotRail driver reported striking a tree between Dingwall and Muir of Ord on the Far North Line shortly after 8am.
Commuters have been facing delays and cancellations to a number of services as operators work to restore order on the line.
The A82 is blocked in both directions at Drumnadrochit due to a fallen tree.
NEW❗ ⌚17:32#A82 Drumnadrochit
Partially blocked in both directions due to a fallen tree🌳
TRISS on route @NWTrunkRoads pic.twitter.com/QEMMS8ahRh
— Traffic Scotland (@trafficscotland) March 22, 2023
In Aberdeen, Countesswells Road was partially blocked to traffic due to a fallen tree.
Ferry services on the west coast have been bearing the brunt of the disruption.
On Twitter, CalMac confirmed a number of crossings had been called off due to the tidal conditions.
Services from Oban to Castlebay have been cancelled for the day as well as crossings between Uig and Tarbert.
CalMac have also suspended crossings departing from Mallaig to Oban, Lochboisdale, and the Small Isles.
Flood warnings in place
SEPA has also issued a number of flood warnings and alerts across the north and north-east.
Flood warnings have been issued for parts of Orkney, including Stromness, Burray and Ayre of Cara, St Margaret’s Hope, Longhope and Hoy, Sanday and Westray.
Warnings also remain in place across parts of the Western Isles and Fort William.
Scottish Flood Forecast – 2023-03-22
Today's 3-day Scottish Flood Forecast is now available on our website.Find out if flooding is forecast in your area, what impacts it may have, and what actions you can take in advance.
https://t.co/jCYCM3M1Nh pic.twitter.com/MmlQfQdQNg— SEPAFlood (@SEPAFlood) March 22, 2023
In the north-east, areas including Stonehaven, Peterhead to Boddam and Rosehearty to Fraserburgh remain under a red flood warning.
Streets surrounding the River Dee in the centre of Aberdeen have also been placed under a warning.
Coastal areas across the Highlands and Islands, Moray and Grampian are also being warned of potential flooding over the next 48 hours, as Sepa unveiled their three-day forecast.
Conversation