Storms Dudley and Eunice could impact transport, power networks and wider public services

The Deputy First Minister has urged Scots to prepare for disruption as Storm Dudley and Storm Eunice hit the country. 

Nearly every train service will shut down at 4pm today, while all Calmac ferries will stop sailing at lunchtime. 

Dudley has seen the Met Office issue a rare amber weather warning for the north of England and the central belt and south of Scotland from 4pm today, lasting until midnight.

It will then be downgraded to yellow warning until 6am tomorrow. While there looks likely to be a lull on Thursday, it’s set to be followed by Eunice which could bring in heavy snow. 

The forecaster has warned that “injuries and danger to life is likely”. ”

Speaking to the BBC’s Good Morning Scotland, John Swinney said: “Essentially, we are being warned to expect very strong winds and heavy rain over the course of the next 24 hours or so. 

“There may be a certain amount of a gap and then on Friday, a period of more wintry weather with Storm Eunice with the likelihood of some fairly heavy snow and strong winds again at the end of the week.

“Fundamentally, the next few days will be very challenging, with strong winds consistent throughout that period with the risk of damage that comes from that, and the onset of some wintry weather at the end of the week.”

He said the government’s resilience operation has now been activated, with transport providers, power companies, and public authorities “all planning where their resources will be deployed to be able to support individuals should we face some challenges.”

Swinney said the strong winds would “bring with them the danger of an impact on either transport provision, or the power networks or wider public services.”

Recent storms left households without power throughout Scotland, particularly in the north east. 

Swinney said the power companies had reassured government that the “network is strong and intact today, but obviously, there is a fresh challenge coming away with the onset of Storm Dudley later on today.”

On Twitter ScotRail said they had taken the decision to cancel services for the “welfare of our customers and staff”.