Exact time rain to hit Scotland today as Met Office warnings and five flood alerts issued

The Met Office has predicted the exact hour heavy rain will batter Scotland today as yellow weather warnings and flood alerts are in place.

Torrential downpours will last a total of 60 hours over the next three days as six inches of rain will fall in a washout weekend.

Forecasters say the heavy rain started just after midnight on Thursday morning in Scotland and won't stop until midday on Saturday.

Scots have also been told to prepare for flooding after the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) issued five flood alerts over the next few days.

The band of heavy rain is forecast to spread from the west during Wednesday evening, becoming heavy through Thursday and much of Friday.

Central, Tayside & Fife, Strathclyde and Highlands & Eilean Siar will be worst affected by the wet weather.

The Met Office issued a yellow weather warning (Met Office)

Meanwhile, flood alerts have been issued for Argyll and Bute, Ayrshire and Arran, Central, Skye and Lochaber and West Central Scotland.

Forecasters say the heavy rainfall could cause localised flooding from rivers and small watercourses in areas of low lying land.

Network Rail Scotland warned of severe weather which could impact trains and graded the forecast as 'red'.

It tweeted: "Our internal weather forecasters have graded today as a 'red' weather day. This means there's a higher chance of severe weather that could disrupt services.

"With that in mind, we're monitoring conditions using our network of sensors and we have extra staff and kit on hand."

Torrential downpours will last a total of 60 hours over the next three days (Getty Images)

• The Met Office said: "Rain will spread from the west during Wednesday evening, becoming persistent and heavy at times through Thursday and much of Friday before easing by Saturday afternoon.
• 
  
• 
  
• "Accumulations of 40-70mm will build up quite widely with 100-150mm locally over high ground in Argyll and West Highland.
• 
  
• "There is some uncertainty as to which areas will see the largest totals, but rain should gradually turn less heavy during Saturday."
• 
  
• A flood alert for SEPA read: “Periods of heavy and often persistent rain will affect these areas from Wednesday evening through to Saturday.

• “The period of heaviest rainfall is expected to be from Thursday afternoon and through Friday.

  “This is expected to cause localised flooding from rivers and small watercourses, particularly of low lying land and roads.

  “Surface water is also expected to cause disruption to local travel, particularly in known trouble spots. There could be difficult driving conditions and longer journey times.

  “Remain vigilant and remember, it is your responsibility to take actions which help protect yourself and your property.”