STRONG winds and heavy rain are battering Glasgow and much of the west of Scotland this morning.
The bad weather is causing travel chaos for train commuters and motorists, with the forest predicting it will get worse as the morning goes on.
Overhead train wires have been damaged in the Saltcoats area due to “severe weather”, said ScotRail.
NEW: We've been advised of damage to the overhead wires in the Saltcoats area due to severe weather.
— ScotRail (@ScotRail) December 18, 2018
Glasgow Central - Ardrossan Harbour; services will terminate and start back from Kilwinning
Glasgow Central - Largs; services will terminate and start back from Kilwinning pic.twitter.com/1NRyFKKnTz
The national train provider said services from Glasgow Central to Ardrossan Harbour will terminate and start back from Kilwinning, as will services from Glasgow Central to Largs.
NEW: We've been advised of damage to the overhead wires in the Saltcoats area due to severe weather.
— ScotRail (@ScotRail) December 18, 2018
Glasgow Central - Ardrossan Harbour; services will terminate and start back from Kilwinning
Glasgow Central - Largs; services will terminate and start back from Kilwinning pic.twitter.com/1NRyFKKnTz
Flooding near the M8 has seen a lane close with drivers urged to drive with caution.
*NEW* ❗️⌚️09:08#A737 N/B between #Linwood and St James merge on #M8 - Lane is closed due to flooding, please drive with caution 🌊🌊🌊@ScotTranserv pic.twitter.com/W6R0F5VHXO
— Traffic Scotland (@trafficscotland) December 18, 2018
Drivers in Renfrewshire have been advised to use caution due to surface water.
Renfrewshire - Weather, Drivers in Renfrewshire are advised to use caution due to surface water... https://t.co/iyhDMQZhjg #TSIncident
— Traffic Scotland (@trafficscotland) December 18, 2018
The weather has even delayed the opening of the popular Paisley WinterFest in the town centre.
The team behind the festive event said on Twitter: “Owing to the wet and windy weather this morning, #Paisley's WinterFest will open at lunchtime today...forecast for this afternoon is dry!!! See you then!”
Owing to the wet and windy weather this morning, #Paisley's WinterFest will open at lunchtime today...forecast for this afternoon is dry!!! See you then! pic.twitter.com/lnT5nTpqiA
— Paisley First (@PaisleyFirst) December 18, 2018
The Met Office said Tuesday will be “wet and windy, becoming drier and clearer later.”
The national weather service added: “It will be wet and windy across Glasgow this morning with strong southerly winds and coastal gales.
“Rain will become heavy around the middle of the morning then slowly ease this afternoon.
Winds will also decrease.
“Clear spells will develop this evening. Maximum temperature 10 °C.”
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