Pictures and Video: Weather warning as rain, gales and huge waves set to lash North-east

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GALE-FORCE winds, waves taller than the height of two double-decker buses and more heavy rain – that’s what the Met Office has predicted to hit the North-east over the next few days.

The forecasters said severe high winds could lead to waves today as tall as nine metres (29.5ft) – taller than two double-decker buses.

The region could also see a total of 450mm (17.7in) of rain fall from this weekend until Friday with amber and yellow weather warnings issued by the Met Office.

Sea foam at Nigg yesterday. Picture by reader Iain Henderson.

Waves battered the Aberdeen coastline yesterday. Picture by Iain Henderson.

Stonehaven and Aberdeen were expected to take the brunt of the huge waves, which could cause more flooding.

A Met Office spokesman said: “In Stonehaven they could see waves of up to seven metres high, while other areas could see waves coming in at about eight or nine metres.

“This is due to gale force winds out in the North Sea, which are between 60 and 70mph.

“There will be a lot of waves crashing down – it is a very big sea and there is definitely a risk of some flooding.”

The rain and wind comes as the North-east tries to recover from previous flooding caused by Storm Frank, which saw football pitches and parks flooded and sheltered housing evacuated by firefighters.

The effect of the flooding is clear to see in this view across the river at Ballater.

Yesterday, high winds and heavy rain saw rivers again burst their banks and caused a surge of sea foam along the North-east coastline. The foam could be seen on roads in the Torry and Cove areas and at Newtonhill beach.

Rainfall in Aboyne hit 22.8mm (0.8in) in a 12-hour period from noon yesterday, with around 40.6mm (1.59in) falling from midnight yesterday and winds reaching 63mph.

An amber warning for rain was in place for today with many areas expecting 40-80mm (1-3in) of rain, with some of the high ground receiving 100-150mm (3.9-5.9in) .The Met Office spokesman said: “Looking ahead the rain looks set to continue until at least Thursday though it could ease slightly on Wednesday.”

A yellow warning for rain is in place for the region for tomorrow with a further 15-25mm (0.5-0.9in) of rain predicted to fall. There is no weather warning in place for Wednesday, but another yellow rain warning is in place on Thursday.

Forecasters predicted another 20-40mm (0.7-1.5in) of rain and possible 60mm (2.3in) on higher ground.

The River Dee broke its banks again after heavy rain at the weekend. Picture by Chris Sumner

The heavy rain saw the River Dee burst its banks again yesterday though not to the extent seen during the height of Storm Frank.

Aberdeen City Council closed Duthie Park car park to vehicles.

It came after a vehicle was spotted floating down the Dee during Storm Frank, sparking a massive search operation.

The council was also called to a fallen tree after it blocked the road close to the Bennachie Leisure Centre in Insch.

A flood alert was in place yesterday for Aberdeen and the River Dee. There was a potential risk of flooding to low lying areas including Riverside Drive.

But the Scottish Environment Protection Agency advised levels were not expected to be as high as those experienced on December 30.

Sandbags were being offered at the city council’s West Tullos Depot for residents who fear their homes are at risk.

Police Scotland Chief Inspector Richard Craig said: “We are also advising the public to stay away from flooded areas and river banks as water levels are expected to rise again as the rain continues over the next few days.

“River banks are also likely to be unstable due to the high levels of water and continued rain.”