Image caption Downpours have caused flooding on residential streets in parts of Angus

Heavy rain across parts of Scotland has led to flooding and difficult driving conditions on the roads.

Severe weather warnings were issued for persistent and heavy rain in Grampian, Strathclyde, Central Scotland, Tayside, Fife and the Lothian and Borders areas.

Drivers have been advised to reduce their speed and drive according to the conditions.

Forecasters said 3cm (1.2in) of rain could be expected widely, with as much as 7cm (2.8in) falling in some areas.

The rain is expected to die out during the evening, but there is a risk of lightning and more rain in the north of Scotland overnight.

Tyndrum in Stirlingshire was the wettest part of Scotland, with 1.7cm (0.7in) of rain falling in six hours.

Rising river levels

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) issued flood warnings for Tayside and Dundee and Angus. It also issued flood alerts - meaning flooding is possible - for Fife, Edinburgh and Lothians, and Aberdeenshire.

The Sepa warning issued for the Tayside region, which was expected to be one of the worst areas to be hit, said river levels in the region were expected to rise over the next 48 hours.

A Tayside Police spokesman said the rainfall in the force area had led to isolated flooding and surface water on the roads.

He said anyone travelling should allow plenty of time for their journey, reduce their speed and drive according to the conditions.

Surface water has caused problems on the M74, A74(M), M8, M9 and A90, according to Traffic Scotland.

The A9 at Kessock Bridge has been affected by high winds.