70mph gales spark Met Office yellow warning for western Sutherland and Wester Ross

Winds of up to 70 mph are set to batter parts of Ross-shire and Sutherland this morning, the Met Office has warned.

A yellow weather warning for gale force winds was issued by the national forecaster shortly before 6am this morning. The alert will take effect at 8am and remain in force until 6pm.

A Met Office spokesperson said: "An area of low pressure will develop and move northwards, passing close to the Outer Hebrides during Wednesday with very strong west to south-westerly winds for a time.

"Gusts may reach 60-70mph, which could lead to some disruption, especially across the Outer Hebrides where there is a chance of stronger gusts to 80 mph.

"Winds will ease later this afternoon as the area of low pressure moves away to the north."

The area covered by the alert includes all of the Outer Hebrides, Coll, Tiree, the Small Isles, Skye, Raasay, Wester Ross and western Sutherland.

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