Weather alert: Gales, floods and snow on way

Experts are warning of heavy and persistent rain affecting western areas from Friday afternoon into Saturday morning, heaviest over western facing hills, with the chance of localised flooding and strong winds.

Between 20 and 40mm of rainfall is expected over higher ground, but locally 50 to 60mm are possible, leading to localised river and surface water flooding.

Over the weekend, the wild weather looks set to continue, with further warnings in place for both Saturday and Sunday, with motorists told to expect difficult driving conditions and the threat of disruption to transport, and gusts of wind up to 70mph.

On Saturday, a cold front will introduce a strong, cold north-westerly airstream which will bring showers across many northern and western regions, some heavy. Showers could fall as sleet or snow over high ground.

The weather has been caused by a deep depression to the north of Scotland.

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