THE first week of the year got off to a soggy start with twice the average rainfall.

Almost three inches of rain fell in Glasgow, disrupting shoppers and causing flooding as it hit already saturated ground.

Forecasters confirmed this was around double the average ­rainfall expected over seven days.

Meanwhile, Scotland experienced the wettest December and the wettest calendar month overall since records began in 1910, the Met Office said.

They confirmed more than 10 inches of rain fell in Lanarkshire in December, making it the second wettest ­December for the area since 1910, the wettest being 1929. The figures follow weeks of stormy weather that has caused chaos up and down the UK.

Yellow 'be aware' warnings issued by the Met Office were in place today, with heavy rain and strong winds ­expected to lash the city once more.

Gust of up to 39mph are predicted to hit tonight.

John Griffiths, forecaster with MeteoGroup, said: "Since this time last week, around three inches of rain has fallen.

"Accumulation of all the storms has created a very saturated ground level and any rain is how sitting on the surface."

Meanwhile, the Environment Agency issued 70 flood warnings covering every region, urging people to take immediate action as flooding was "expected".

The agency estimated that about 220 properties have been flooded so far, miles of coastline have been battered and roads and fields across the country left under water.

The transport network has also been hit, with roads closed and trains delayed or cancelled in many areas.

In Oxford, a 47-year-old man died when his mobility scooter fell from a flooded path into a river, yesterday.

A police spokesman said the man's death was being treated as ­unexplained but was not believed to be suspicious.

Calmer weather is expected this week, with showers and windy conditions continuing but no storms forecast.

matty.sutton@eveningtimes.co.uk