Moray looks set to escape the rare and exceptionally severe ‘weather bomb’ that has already caused problems for much of Scotland this week.
Winds gusting at 70 to 80mph and exceptionally high waves have already hit the entire west coast, causing ferry and train links to be cancelled and schools to be closed.
However, while the Met Office have issued a yellow alert for severe weather in Moray for today and Thursday, the region is not expected to be hit by the storm that sparked an Amber alert for much of the country.
Forecasters say that the wintry spells and snow showers over higher ground experienced in the north east on Tuesday would continue and while wind speeds may rise they will not be as severe as those suffered in other parts of the country.
An update from the Met Office for the Grampian Region last night said: “Very strong winds are likely to affect northern and central parts of the UK from Tuesday night until early Thursday as a very deep low pressure system moves slowly eastwards between Scotland and Iceland.
“A period of severe gales is expected over the area as well as the potential for storm force winds over western and northern parts of Scotland.
“Gusts of 60-70 mph can be expected within the warning area, with 70-80 mph in western and north-western exposures. The strongest winds will slowly ease on Thursday morning.”