A severe weather warning has been issued for the north and north-east of Scotland today, with gale-force winds expected to sweep across the entire region.
With the clocks set to go forward one hour this weekend – the first sign that Spring is officially here – most would have hoped for a light breeze and mild temperatures.
But forecasters last night warned that strong winds are set to hit, which could cause chaos for motorists in Grampian, the Highlands and Islands, Orkney and Shetland.
A Met Office spokesman said: “Winds will strengthen during Saturday morning to bring gales to many locations.
“The swathe of strongest winds will start in the southwest of the warning region during the early morning before transferring northeastwards through the day.
“Gust speeds are expected to reach 55-60mph, with more exposed locations seeing some gusts of 65mph.
“The public should be aware of the potential for some localised travel disruption.”
Forecasters said the expected gusts were due to a deepening area of low pressure which will move north-eastwards from the Atlantic through Friday night into Saturday.
“There is some uncertainty over the intensity of this system and therefore also the peak wind speeds, but latest indications are that the north of Northern Ireland, much of Scotland and also parts of northern England – especially to the east of the Pennines – are most likely to be affected,” the forecaster said.
The yellow weather warning issued – urging people to ‘be aware’ – will be lifted in time for Sunday, when the weather is expected to become more settled.