HEAVY rain and gale force winds were today expected to batter the city, sparking problems for commuters.

Yellow 'be aware' weather warnings were issued for rain and wind from 9am and motorists were advised to take care on the roads and be wary of flooding.

Heavy rain was forecast to hit the city this morning and the wind was predicted pick up later in the afternoon.

Severe gale force winds were due to lash higher ground around Glasgow along with the heaviest of the rain.

Eaglesham Moor and the south of the city were expected to be particularly hard hit by southerly winds.

Forecasters warned that travel could be disrupted across the Strathclyde area with flooding expected on the roads and high winds causing problems on the ferries and bridges.

Tomorrow, the weather is expected to turn cold with snow expected to fall on the higher ground to the north of Glasgow, around Loch Lomond.

This could cause further disruption on the higher roads.

Peter Sloss, forecaster at the Met Office in Aberdeen, warned of severe gales in the Glasgow area between around 9pm and midnight.

These should ease off ­during the night ahead of a colder day tomorrow.

He said: "Throughout the afternoon it will be fairly cloudy with outbreaks of rain. The heaviest rain will be over Eaglesham Moor and to the south of Glasgow.

"The rain will pick up in the evening across all parts of Strathclyde.

"The higher ground will get severe gale force winds this afternoon and it will be quite windy in the city, but not as bad.

"The strongest winds will hit between 9pm and ­midnight but they will ease during the night.

"Colder weather will come in tomorrow with heavy showers and on higher ground these showers will be snow in the north of Glasgow."

The milder weather will return on Friday before another cold spell hits over the weekend.

These weather patterns are expected to continue into next week.

Mr Sloss said those seeking a white Christmas would have to head to higher ground to the north of the city.

The city and surrounding area was battered by wind and rain last weekend, with winds of 46mph hitting the city on Sunday.

Christmas shoppers faced strong gusts and lashing rain in Glasgow.

matty.sutton@eveningtimes.co.uk