Bus operators First said there is likely to be major disruption to their services as Union Street in Glasgow was closed due to loose scaffolding.
Meanwhile, the Met Office has upgraded the weather warning for Glasgow and the West to red – the highest level. The worst of the storm was due to hit at rush hour today and by 7am gusts of 91mph had been recorded in Glasgow. Commuters were faced with flooded and blocked roads and rail travellers were warned of cancellations and delays.
However, it's thought traffic may not have been as busy as usual today with many people not returning to work after the festive break until tomorrow.
The west coast bore the brunt of high winds, with gusts of 71mph in Prestwick, 90mph in the Cairngorms and 97mph in Port Ellen on Islay. Malin Head, the most northerly point of Ireland, experienced gusts of 105mph.
The Met Office issued severe weather warnings, saying travellers should be prepared for high winds in central and north-east Scotland.
Snow was also forecast for the Highlands, with blizzard conditions expected.
While the winds should ease throughout the day, an alert was issued for higher ground in Argyll, Stirling, Perth and Kinross and Angus. An amber warning was also issued for south-west Scotland and the Lothian and Borders area.
Forecasters added that a spell of heavy rain could affect many regions, leading to localised flooding. Both wind and snow alerts apply until 6pm today.
Motorists were faced with fallen trees in Ayrshire and Lanarkshire and flooding closed routes in Dunbartonshire.
THE Erskine Bridge was closed to all traffic and the A78 coast road was also closed due to flooding between Largs and Skelmorlie.
Traffic Scotland said the Kingston Bridge was closed in both directions after two incidents involving overturned lorries.
The A81 was closed near the Glengoyne Distillery, Dumgoyne, after a car struck a tree near the A875.
One lane was closed on the M77 northbound between junction 1 Dumbreck Road and M8 junction 22, Plantation, because of flooding.
On the A82 Dumbarton Road was closed and heavy traffic southbound at Bowling Roundabout being directed by police because of flooding.
On Great Western Road in Old Kilpatrick was partially blocked in both directions between the Mountblow Road junction and Erskine Bridge, because of flooding.
The A726 in Eaglesham was partially blocked and heavy traffic westbound delayed between Belle Craig Roundabout and Maidenhill because of an overturned lorry.
And the B802 Condorrat Road in Glenmavis was partially blocked in both directions at the Brackenhirst Road junction because of a fallen tree.
In Ayrshire the A737 in Dalgarven was closed in both directions between the Dalgarven Mill junction and the B714 junction also due to a tree on the road.
In South Lanarkshire two lanes were closed on M74 northbound between junction 12 Millbank and junction 11 Poneil because of an overturned lorry.
The Renfrew Ferry service on the Clyde was suspended due to winds, CalMac's 7.30am Wemyss Bay to Rothesay sailing was cancelled and the Ardrossan to Brodick ferry was cancelled until at least 10am. The service between Gourock and Dunoon was also off.
On the M8 two lanes were blocked and traffic was slow due to an overturned lorry westbound between junction 20 Kingston Bridge and junction 21 Seaward Street.
ScotRail said all services to and from Glasgow Central high level are currently suspended, while the bad weather also meant some East Coast mainline trains between London and Scotland had to start and terminate at Newcastle.
Air travellers were urged to contact their airlines if travelling to Glasgow Airport today.
Meanwhile, services between Glasgow Central and Gourock/Wemyss Bay were suspended. ScotRail said alternative transport was being arranged at Gourock/Wemyss Bay, Port Glasgow and Paisley Gilmour Street. Passengers could also travel between Paisley Gilmour Street and Glasgow Central on Ayrshire services.
Train services between Kilwinning and Largs were disrupted due to overhead wire problems, while services to and from Ardrossan and Largs will stop and start at Kilwinning. Buses will operate between Largs and Kilwinning.
Services to and from Helensburgh will start at Dumbarton Central with alternative transport in place between Dumbarton Central and Helensburgh and services between Dalmuir and Hyndland were disrupted due to the weather.
Transport Minister Keith Brown urged people to plan ahead before setting out on their journey. He said: "As people start to return to work, I would urge everyone to take the time to check before they travel and make preparations before setting off.
Matt Dobson, forecaster for MeteoGroup, said: "Argyll and Bute, the central belt and much of southern parts of Scotland are at risk of very strong winds during the early morning. These will transfer to more eastern parts in the afternoon.
deborah.anderson@ eveningtimes.co.uk
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