Tail end of tropical storm to batter parts of Scotland with 55mph winds

Powerful gusts of up to 55mph are set to batter the West coast of Scotland in a stormy start to summer for parts of the country.

Unsettled conditions caused by the Atlantic’s first named storm of the year will bring gale force eight winds and blustery weather on Saturday before slowly easing over the following 24 hours.

Ex-tropical Storm Alex has already killed at least three people in Cuba at its height and will also likely cause heavy rain in the north-west of the UK.

Experts have warned those living in coastal areas to expect “big seas” alongside disruption to ferry services.

Parts of the United States, including Miami, have already been soaked with more than five inches of rainfall due to the inclement conditions.

Met Office deputy chief meteorologist Chris Almond said: “Although no longer a named storm, the remnants of Ex-Tropical Storm Alex will bring some strong winds across the northern half of the UK – especially to the Scotland and Northern Ireland on Friday and Saturday.

“The track of the low-pressure system currently looks to be off the northwest coast of the UK on Friday and Saturday and winds are likely to reach around 45mph for some parts of the north of the UK, with a chance of some gusts in excess of 55mph in some exposed northwestern islands and coastal areas.”

STV meteorologist Sean Batty said: “Scotland is in for unseasonably strong winds for June as the left-over of a tropical storm comes in from the Atlantic this week.

“A tropical storm is a large system, just like a hurricane, but just not powerful enough to be called a hurricane.

“Remnants of storms like this do come our way from time to time but occurs more often in the autumn.

“Whilst this storm will be nothing compared to a winter one, it’ll still be very windy for June.”