An amber weather warning has been issued across parts of Scotland as heavy rain could cause flooding and disruption to transport services, forecasters have said
16:59, 21 Jan 2026Updated 17:42, 21 Jan 2026
Parts of the country will experience heavy rain tomorrow(Image: WXCharts)
The Met Office has issued a new amber warning for rain due to the risk of flooding in parts of the country.
Forecasters said heavy and persistent rain will hit some areas of Scotland on Thursday, with accumulations of 60mm to 80mm likely. Over higher ground, as much as 100mm to 120mm of rain is likely. The Met Office said a few places could see over 150mm of rain, meaning there is a risk of flooding.
The new amber warning, in force from midnight until 6pm on Thursday, says homes and businesses are likely to be flooded, causing damage to some buildings. Residents have also been warned of the risk of fast flowing or deep floodwater, which can cause danger to life.
An amber weather warning has been issued for Thursday(Image: Met Office)
READ MORE: Met Office 10-day snow forecast names two huge parts of Britain set to be buriedREAD MORE: Snow maps show exact time London and Birmingham among areas facing 12-hour storm
Due to the weather conditions, train and bus services could also face delays and cancellations, with difficult driving conditions expected too. The Met Office said some communities may be cut off by flooded roads.
Areas impacted by amber weather warning:
Central, Tayside & Fife
Grampian
Due to the risk of flooding, residents have been urged to prepare an emergency flood kit including insurance and any other important documents, as well as a torch, spare batteries, a first aid kit, prescription medicines and essential supplies. The Met Office said the kit should also include warm, waterproof clothes, blankets, food and water.
The amber warning reads: “Rain will be persistent and heavy during Thursday with widespread accumulations of 60-80 mm likely and as much as 100-120 mm over high ground. Event totals since Wednesday evening may exceed 150 mm in a few places.
Heavy rain could lead to flooding, forecasters have said(Image: PA)
“This is expected to lead to some surface water and river flooding across the area. This Amber warning indicates where there is greater likelihood of medium level impacts due to mainly river flooding, with the Yellow warning covering a wider area and longer time period.”
Meanwhile, a yellow warning for rain is also in force across a wider area of Scotland from 6pm today until 11.59pm on Friday. It reads: “Rain, whilst intermittent at first on Wednesday, will become persistent and heavy over high ground later in the day, continuing into Thursday and potentially Friday. Rainfall accumulations of 30-60 mm are likely fairly widely inland, with as much as 80-120 mm possible over the highest ground exposed to the brisk southeasterly winds.
“Given the nature of the ground following recent rain and snow thaw, this may lead to some flooding in places. Rainfall totals will be smaller in coastal areas, but strong onshore winds and large waves at times will be additional hazards. In addition, rain will fall increasingly as snow over high ground, especially on Thursday and into Friday, adding to the uncertainty as to how quickly rivers may respond downstream.”
Wind is also expected, the Met Office said(Image: PA)
Met Office chief forecaster Dan Harris said: “Rain will turn increasingly persistent and heavy late on Wednesday and through much of Thursday for parts of Scotland, which has resulted in amber and yellow warnings for rain being issued. Within the Amber warning area, some areas of high ground exposed to the strong southeasterly wind are likely to see in excess of 100 mm of rain, whilst 50-80 mm is more probable for many places within the broader yellow warning.
“This is expected to lead to flooding in some places, with some rivers taking longer to respond to the rainfall and could lead to ongoing impacts through Thursday.” Thursday will be an unsettled day for many, as rain sweeps in from the west, though the heaviest and more persistent rain is reserved for the warning areas in Scotland, the Met Office said.
Friday could see more wet and windy weather arrive from the southwest. Some winds and rain are also expected in the south and west on Saturday.