Police are warning the public to be aware of deteriorating weather in the coming hours.
An amber ‘Be Prepared’ warning has been put in place by the Met Office and is valid until midnight tonight before turning to a yellow ‘Be Aware’ warning tomorrow.
The advice is to prepare for heavy rain, severe gale force winds and increased risk of surface water and river flooding. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has issued a flood alert for Dundee and Angus.
The Met Office said: “A deep area of low pressure will bring rain and strong winds to southern, then central Scotland during today. The rain will become more persistent and heavy at times, particularly over southeast Scotland where it is likely to persist until around dawn tomorrow morning, so any impacts are more likely to occur later in the period due to cumulative effects.
“The rain will edge northwards during this evening and overnight, with the heaviest rain over northeast Scotland on Tuesday with drier interludes and scattered showers elsewhere. A ridge of high pressure will build during Wednesday and Thursday with showers dying out.
“In addition to the rain, easterly winds are starting to strengthen from the south. These will reach gale force, with gusts to around 60mph in places, and extend northwards during the day. The strongest winds are expected to affect exposed, eastern coastal areas mainly the Firth of Forth, Tay Estuary & Grampian areas later this evening and during the early hours of Tuesday, with gusts of over 70mph possible in places.”
Police say drivers should reduce their speed and drive with the utmost care. Anyone who is travelling should allow plenty of time for their journey, reduce their speed and drive according to the conditions. This includes keeping a safe distance from the vehicle in front and using dipped headlights where appropriate.
You can access up-to-the-minute traffic information at www.trafficscotland.org or on Twitter @trafficscotland. Met Office warnings are also updated at www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/warnings/