Heavy overnight rain has produced a familiar scene on the Whitesands in Dumfries.

Car parks have been cleared and shop flood barriers erected after the River Nith overflowed onto the nearby roadway.

Ironically it comes in the week when a model of proposed new flood prevention measures is being put in place.

Although not everyone approves, they would surely all like to see some action taken to prevent this recurring situation.

There is significant weather-related disruption today.

All Irish Sea ferry services out of Cairnryan are suspended as severe gales continue to affect the North Channel. Stena Line says its later sailings to and from Belfast today are also in doubt and passengers are asked to travel only if absolutely necessary.

P&O, which operates services to and from Larne, says the situation will be kept under review throughout the day and is urging passengers to ensure they check ahead before travelling.

The disruption is also having a knock on effect on the roads, with the A751 being used to stack ferry-bound lorries.

There's also a warning of surface water and localised flooding across the region, as well as the risk of branches, trees and other debris being blown onto carriageways.

In Dumfries, the River Nith has burst it's banks and the Whitesands has flooded.

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In the east, it will be an icy start and windy too with strong or very strong south westerlies, gales for the coast.

It will be a very windy start to the day in Dumfries and Galloway as well, with gale to severe gale force gusts around the Solway coast and the Rhins of Galloway.

Across the region, it will be a largely dry morning, with some brighter moments and occasional showers. Through the day, winds ease a touch as they veer west to north westerly but further wet weather arrives.

Nichola Rutherford
BBC Scotland

Good morning from a wild and windy Dumfries. We'll be here with the latest news, sport, travel and weather from the south of Scotland until 5pm.

If you've been affected by the weather overnight, please send us your news and photographs to dumfries@bbc.co.uk or selkirk.news@bbc.co.uk.