Fresh flooding could hit parts of Scotland already inundated by heavy rain in the coming days, forecasters have warned.
The Met Office has extended a yellow weather alert issued on Thursday, with wet weather now likely to last through the weekend until Monday.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has warned of a risk of disruption as rain falls on already saturated ground, and said localised flooding could occur in areas already badly affected by the downpours.
Thursday saw "extremely high" levels of rainfall, with SEPA’s Brydekirk gauging station on the Annan in Dumfries and Galloway recording its biggest event in 50 years.
READ MORE: Pictures reveal flooding chaos after amber warning
Seven flood warnings remain in place across the Scottish Borders, while one has also been issued for Rosebank in Lanarkshire amid concerns the Clyde could burst its banks.
Flood alerts are also in place for parts of Dumfries and Galloway, Fife, Edinburgh and the Lothians.
Flooded fields near peebles
Mark Franklin, Flood Duty Manager for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, said: “Heavy and persistent rain is due to continue throughout Friday across areas of the Borders, Dumfries and Galloway, Ayrshire and Arran, West Central Scotland, Central Scotland and Edinburgh and the Lothians.
"While unlikely to cause impacts as extreme as those we saw yesterday, there is still a risk of disruption as a result of rain falling in already saturated areas and further wet weather is expected over the weekend too.
"There could be continued localised flooding to low-lying land and roads, disruption to travel and flooding in parts of communities, and we are continuing to monitor the situation closely with partners."
The Met Office has issued yellow alerts — which warn that flooding is likely and travel may be disrupted — From today until Monday, covering an area from Glasgow to Dumfries.
The wet weather is expected to gradually move south over the coming days in England, but heavy rainfall will affect much of Dumfries and Galloway over the weekend.
Four days of weather warnings have been issued Source: Met Office
Mr Franklin added: “Regional Flood Alerts are in place, and Local Flood Warnings will continue to be issued where necessary. People living and working in affected areas are advised to plan their essential journeys and consider the steps they need to take now to be prepared.
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“Surface water flooding may occur in areas not normally prone to flooding and impacts from flooding from small and minor watercourses may also occur, so remember that conditions can change rapidly and water levels may rise quickly with little warning.
“Further rain is currently forecast over the weekend. SEPA is working 24/7 to monitor rainfall and river levels and is in close contact with the Met Office and other partners to review the forecasts, which are combined with local expertise from all regions of Scotland to understand and present the flooding risk. The most up-to-date information is always available on our website.”
🌧️ @metoffice YELLOW RAIN WARNING UNTIL 3PM ⚠️
— Amey SW Trunk Roads (@SWTrunkRoads) October 29, 2021
Visit 👉 https://t.co/nbi9Z8HQQ9 for more
⚠️ Areas affected include Glasgow, Ayrshire and Dumfries & Galloway ⚠️
⚠️🚗 REMEMBER - Surface water is not always visible but can pose great risk to motorists @trafficscotland pic.twitter.com/Mx2GYkWwsy
The Met Office latest forecast reads: "Another period of heavy rain is expected to affect central and southwest Scotland from early on Saturday. 10-20 mm will fall quite widely across the warning area, much of this falling in only a few hours.
"From Sunday afternoon through to Monday morning further spells of rain andshowers will continue to impact this region bringing an additional 20-30mm to some locations (in addition to that seen on Sunday morning).
"Recent heavy rainfall has left many places sensitive to more wet weather - and (rainfall) totals on Sunday could cause some further surface water flooding."
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