Storm Jonas causes disruption across Scotland

The storm brought heavy snow to the US, bringing New York to a standstill over the weekend.

Now it’s Scotland’s turn to feel the impact.

In Edinburgh, a bus passenger was reportedly injured after a chimney was blown off a building and smashed through a bus window on Nicolson Street.

Sepa has more than 40 flood warnings in place across the country, from the Borders up to the Angus region.

This morning, two lorries on the A1 near Dunbar in East Lothian were blown onto their sides.

The road remains closed in both directions.

There have been delays on the M8 in Glasgow too as portacabins were blown off a lorry on the westbound carriageway at Hillington.

*CLOSED* ⛔⚠ #M8 (W) J26 – 2 portacabins have been blown off HGV. Route closed so traffic diverted off & on J26 slips pic.twitter.com/brszm2MQro

— Traffic Scotland (@trafficscotland) January 26, 2016

Flooding has closed the M9 between junction 9 and 10 southbound, with the northbound carriageway open but difficult for cars to pass.

*UPDATE* ⚠? #M9 (S) J11 Keir-J9 Bannockburn-Another image of closed S/B carriageway, thanks to @LeeBaillie_ #BeSafe♥ pic.twitter.com/fHN5e1FJmw

— Traffic Scotland (@trafficscotland) January 26, 2016

There are also restrictions in place on bridges across the country.

The Tay Road Bridge is open to cars only, with the Forth Road and Erskine Bridges closed to high-sided vehicles.

Train and ferry services across the country are also suffered disruptions.

Large parts of the UK have been hit by a deluge of rain, with some communities still feeling the effects of flooding in the previous weeks.

Environment Secretary Elizabeth Truss chaired an emergency meeting in order to co-ordinate the Government’s response to the expected rainfall, which could be as much as 100mm (3.9ins) in hilly areas.

The Met Office has issued yellow warnings for heavy rain and severe gales in these areas, with forecasters predicting around 30 to 50mm of rain in most areas. Parts of Scotland are likely to face winds of up to 70mph.

Laura Caldwell, a forecaster at MeteoGroup, said heavy rain had hit western Scotland and north-west England overnight.

She said: “Between 10 and 25mm fell in a few hours overnight in those areas and through the course of today the rain will sweep across most of the UK. Southern Scotland, the west of England and Wales will be particularly affected.

“This is the remnants of storm Jonas. The warmer, very moist, tropical air is bringing in this potentially very high rainfall.”

More rain is expected to fall on Friday, with yellow warnings in place for parts of Scotland, Northern Ireland, north-east England and Wales.