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Christmas gale hits islands                25/12/11

The Western Isles will be affected by high and severe winds until tomorrow night. Wind speeds will increase throughout Christmas Day afternoon. They will ease during the night but strengthen again early on Boxing Day.

The adverse weather and rough seas are likely to affect ferry services.

Heavy seas may affect low-lying coastal areas and causeways, such as the Eriskay causeway and South Ford,  exposed to the west and south west particularly at high tide which peaks between 6.30pm and about 7.45pm tonight.

On Boxing Day the winds will become more southerly and predicted Force 10 gusts may cause waves or spray to break over the Braighe road during tomorrow morning’s rising tide which reaches full height around 7.30am.

Temperatures of up to 11 C are very warm for the season though conditions are blustery.

The Met Offices says rain will continue at times through both Christmas Day and Boxing Day, bringing an increasing risk of localised flooding issues.

Another gale is expected on Wednesday and it will then be windy and mild for the rest of the week.