Caithness on alert for more hurricane-force winds
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CAITHNESS is set to experience another blowout as hurricane-force winds batter the region once again today.
Gusts of up to 70 mph are predicted for the area and the Met Office has issued a yellow warning for the possibility of structural damage across the county.
Met Office spokesman Peter Steele said that the Far North would see a 12-hour period of severe gusts and advised people to be prepared.
“There have been a series of Atlantic lows which have been affecting Scotland for the past few weeks and they are set to hit again on Wednesday,” he said.
“Between noon and midnight it will be a windy period for the Far North, with gusts coming from the south-west and the west.
“Wind speeds will be at least between 50 mph to 60 mph but there is a good chance it could increase to over 70 mph depending on the movement of the low area of pressure.
“It will not be consistently windy throughout the 12-hour period as it will come and go, but we would advise people to take care if outside or on the road.”
The forecaster said winds are expected to calm down on Thursday right through to Hogmanay and revellers can expect a mild and calm night to see in the New Year.
Meanwhile, on Sunday, the Far North saw one of the warmest Christmas Days on record when temperatures reached as high as 12 degrees Celsius.
The was a far cry from 12 months ago when heavy snow battered the region with the highest temperature recorded only 2C.
The area did suffer from heavy rain together with gale-force winds which reached over 50 mph, which caused some damage when trees were blown on to the A9 at Berriedale at 4pm.
TranServ Scotland was called to the scene to remove the trees and the road was reopened at 6.30pm.
There was also good news for the Thurso RNLI as it avoided the hat-trick of Christmas Day call outs after having attended distress calls for the past two years. Wick lifeboat station also reported that it had received no distress calls.
Earlier this month Caithness experienced hurricane force winds when gusts of 85 mph swept through the area forcing schools to close, affecting transport links, cutting off power supplies and causing thousands of pounds worth of property damage.
Among the worst affected areas included Gillock, Sibster and Watten where homes went for two days without power before being reconnected.
