Storm Desmond prompts flood warnings for Scotland and northern England

Leon Brown, meteorologist at The Weather Channel, also told Aol Travel there would be 80mph winds and heavy rain: “There will be very wet weather on Friday night to early Sunday across the northern half of the UK”.

The Met Office has issued an amber warning for rain and said there was a risk of localised flooding, hard driving conditions and transport disruption.

Heavy rain is also expected overnight tonight and during the day tomorrow which could worsen already high river levels.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has 15 flood alerts in place around the country and three flood warnings in Tayside.

It is due to persist across much of the Glasgow area today, with strong winds and some reaching gale force later.

The Met Office chief forecaster said: “A depression is expected to deepen and move towards Iceland during Friday, with the associated frontal zone expected to affect the United Kingdom throughout Friday and Saturday”.

For Saturday through to Sunday, some parts of Scotland as well as north west England, north east England and Yorkshire and Humber have warnings for wind and rain. “Watercourses may become unsafe, deep and fast-flowing, while some transport disruption seems likely”.

It comes after heavy snow and rain caused severe disruption and flooding to areas in the south of Scotland on Thursday. The fire service said some vehicles became stuck and fire engines had difficulty reaching emergency calls.

And the bad weather is set to continue over the weekend as the fourth storm of the season – Desmond – hits the country, with heavy rain expected to drench North Wales, bringing possible floods.

Gardaí in Kerry are reporting surface water and pocket flooding on numerous county’s roads with motorists being advised to avoid the Castlemaine road outside Tralee as it is flooded and impassable.