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Issued: 1330hrs Wednesday 16th March 2005
Duty forecaster: Simon Keeling

Heavy rain in western Scotland

It’s raining steadily in the western Highlands this afternoon, and looks set to stay wet during the next 48 hours. Add this rainfall to melting snow and the chances of flooding in western Scotland look fairly high.

Forecasters at the Weatheronline Weather Centre are watching a further period of heavier rain, which may move across Northern Ireland and into western Scotland later on Thursday.

However, before that heavy rain moves in the moist southwesterly flow is going to be maintaining cloud and rain across much of western Scotland. We are currently forecasting between 20 and 50mm of rain in some places through western Highland, Argyll & Bute as well as western Ayreshire. This is a large amount of rainfall and will enhance the risk of flooding.

The southwest winds will be bringing very warm conditions too. Southern areas are going to have some sunny spells, with the best of these through southeast England and the Midlands, as well as northeast England.

In the sunshine temperatures may reach 20C, with highs of 16 to 17C widespread across the Midlands and eastern England.

Indications for the weekend are that the warm conditions continue through England, Wales and eastern Scotland, although it will stay damp and cooler towards the west.

Whatever the weather, keep the sun shining!
Simon