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| Country braced for stormy weather | Country braced for stormy weather |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Scotland is bracing itself for stormy weather as forecasters predict strong winds over the New Year holiday. | Scotland is bracing itself for stormy weather as forecasters predict strong winds over the New Year holiday. |
| Organisers of Edinburgh's and Glasgow's Hogmanay parties - where more than 125,000 people are expected - are monitoring weather reports carefully. | Organisers of Edinburgh's and Glasgow's Hogmanay parties - where more than 125,000 people are expected - are monitoring weather reports carefully. |
| Storm force winds are likely in the early hours of Saturday with storms returning on New Year's Eve when gusts are expected to reach 70 to 80mph. | Storm force winds are likely in the early hours of Saturday with storms returning on New Year's Eve when gusts are expected to reach 70 to 80mph. |
| Dozens of ferry sailings were cancelled on Friday due to adverse conditions. | Dozens of ferry sailings were cancelled on Friday due to adverse conditions. |
| Caledonian MacBrayne said Clyde crossings were affected along with those in Skye and the Western Isles. | Caledonian MacBrayne said Clyde crossings were affected along with those in Skye and the Western Isles. |
| Gales predicted | Gales predicted |
| The company hopes to resume some services if the weather improves but passengers are being advised to check with CalMac's website for the latest information, or contact ferry terminals directly. | The company hopes to resume some services if the weather improves but passengers are being advised to check with CalMac's website for the latest information, or contact ferry terminals directly. |
| BBC weather forecaster Gail McGrane said winds will increase to gale force on Friday night reaching storm force at about 0300 GMT to 0400 GMT in Glasgow and 0400 GMT to 0500 GMT in Edinburgh. | BBC weather forecaster Gail McGrane said winds will increase to gale force on Friday night reaching storm force at about 0300 GMT to 0400 GMT in Glasgow and 0400 GMT to 0500 GMT in Edinburgh. |
| However, she said that by Saturday morning the worst of the weather would be in the Northern Isles and improving elsewhere. | However, she said that by Saturday morning the worst of the weather would be in the Northern Isles and improving elsewhere. |
| By Saturday night there will be the risk of frost and ice. | By Saturday night there will be the risk of frost and ice. |
| She added that severe gales would also be lingering in Shetland on Saturday. | She added that severe gales would also be lingering in Shetland on Saturday. |
| Hogmanay will start off wet in the south west, pushing northwards by the afternoon. | Hogmanay will start off wet in the south west, pushing northwards by the afternoon. |
| There would have to be severe gales on the night for the event to be cancelled Edinburgh Hogmanay spokesman | There would have to be severe gales on the night for the event to be cancelled Edinburgh Hogmanay spokesman |
| Ms McGrane said: "It will also become windy with severe gales and the potential for damaging gusts. | Ms McGrane said: "It will also become windy with severe gales and the potential for damaging gusts. |
| "The strongest winds will be through the central belt mid to late evening." | "The strongest winds will be through the central belt mid to late evening." |
| She said Aberdeenshire would be affected by the winds at about midnight. | She said Aberdeenshire would be affected by the winds at about midnight. |
| New Year revellers are being advised to wrap up and prepare for wet and cold weather. | New Year revellers are being advised to wrap up and prepare for wet and cold weather. |
| In 2003, Edinburgh's Hogmanay party was cancelled at the last minute because of stormy weather, disappointing tens of thousands of people. | |
| Organisers of this year's event said there were no plans to cancel the extravaganza. | |
| 'Not fantastic' | 'Not fantastic' |
| A spokesman said: "We are aware that the forecast is not fantastic. | A spokesman said: "We are aware that the forecast is not fantastic. |
| "However, there has been increased equipment put in place to cope with bad weather. | "However, there has been increased equipment put in place to cope with bad weather. |
| "There would have to be severe gales on the night for the event to be cancelled." | "There would have to be severe gales on the night for the event to be cancelled." |
| He added: "Our first priority is the safety of the public and the final decision will be made on Sunday." | He added: "Our first priority is the safety of the public and the final decision will be made on Sunday." |
| A Glasgow City Council spokesman said Glasgow's showpiece event in George Square should be unaffected by strong weather. | A Glasgow City Council spokesman said Glasgow's showpiece event in George Square should be unaffected by strong weather. |
| He added that contingencies were in place if any parts of the event were cancelled. | He added that contingencies were in place if any parts of the event were cancelled. |
| Drivers have also been warned to be prepared for changes in weather conditions. | Drivers have also been warned to be prepared for changes in weather conditions. |
| Neil Greig, of the AA Motoring Trust, said: "Give yourself extra time so you're not speeding to catch a ferry, for example. | |
| "If you are in a high-sided vehicle like a 4x4 or a people carrier, they are much more likely to be affected by wind. | |
| "Make sure your car is prepared for a long, hard drive." |