STORM Kathleen is set to cause carnage this weekend — and could stop thousands of Rangers fans getting to the Old Firm match at Ibrox.
The threat came after two of today’s ferries from Northern Ireland were cancelled — with fears more could be axed as Scotland is battered with 70mph winds.
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Operator StenaLine called off sailings this morning and afternoon from Belfast to Cairnryan, near Stranraer – with a later service also subject to delay.
And with their club set for a title showdown with rivals Celtic at noon tomorrow, one Gers fans said online: “This isn’t good news. We don’t want thousands missing the game potentially and there being loads of empty seats.
“Hopefully everyone affected can sort alternative transport.”
Another added: “Lets hope weather dies down, hope all travelling bears get to Ibrox OK.”
People have been told to stay away from seafronts today amid warnings that flying debris and towering waves could pose a “danger to life”.
The yellow alert was issued after snow swept across the north of Scotland early yesterday while the south was hit by torrential rain.
Vehicles struggled amid blizzards in Auchterarder, Perthshire.
And a plough had to be dispatched after Carrbridge, Inverness-shire, was hit with a whiteout.
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David Walsh, who was walking his dog Otis in the Village, said: “I was shocked to see so much snow the morning as I thought there would just be a dusting on the hilltops.”
Jack Archer was clearing the white stuff from his car in Carrbridge.
He said: “We have been on holiday and are heading back to Aberdeen.
“We might have to take a different route and avoid the high road over the Lecht as I imagine it could be blocked.”
In Glasgow, shoppers needed brollies to see off the rain, while ducks in Edinburgh lapped up the fresh puddles.
Met Office forecaster Annie Shuttleworth said: “We will see gusts of 60 to 70mph across the Irish Sea through the day today.
“And those strong winds will remain across western Scotland. There could be some travel disruption, particularly if you are planning to go on ferries or out on high ground.
“That’s where the winds are going to be strongest.”
Ferry operator CalMac revealed it was anticipating delays and cancellations on a number of routes, including Ardrossan to Brodick, on Arran.
Edinburgh Castle’s management said high winds could close the attraction over the weekend “to ensure the safety of our staff and visitors”.
Trains between Glasgow and Edinburgh via Shotts were cancelled yesterday due to flooding.
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Yet England could record its hottest day of the year so far today — with 22°C (72°F) expected in East Anglia.
Met Office spokesman Stephen Dixon said: “Storm Kathleen is helping to draw up warmer air.”