Gale-force wind warnings issued

 

Hurricane Katia could bring gale-force winds across the Atlantic to Scotland by Monday, forecasters have warned. The hurricane, which is moving from Bermuda, is expected to result in stormy weather and gusts of up to 75mph, although no official severe weather warnings have yet been issued. Forecasting provider Meteogroup said it is still too early to predict the effect the hurricane would have on the country's weather. Forecaster Andy Ratcliffe said: "By the time it gets across the Atlantic, it will be the remnants of Hurricane Katia. "We're still a little uncertain on the exact track of its path, although it looks like the centre of depression will be in the vicinity of Scotland." Meteogroup has forecast winds of 60mph, or possibly 75mph in some areas, accompanied by spells of heavy rain. Katia is the second major hurricane of the 2011 Atlantic hurricane season and was rated as a category four hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale at its peak. The scale rates hurricanes from one to five, with five being the strongest