Transport was badly hit with all trains cancelled on Friday, January 9 as winds of up to 80mph hit the area overnight, bringing down trees and causing damage to homes.

The A82 was blocked between Stoneymollan and Arden Roundabouts due to a fallen tree and the Renton road was closed for the same reason early on Friday morning.

Both blockages were cleared by roads workers.

Inspector Neil Smith, of Dumbarton Police, said officers were called to deal with a ‘significant number of weather-related issues’ throughout the area.

He said incidents reported were mainly roof damage, fallen trees and alarm activations but all were minor.

The Met Office issued weather warnings last week which continued throughout the weekend and there was no end in sight to the weather misery with Be Aware warnings for snow and ice in place until Wednesday and a warning of high winds for Thursday (yesterday).

The Met Office Chief Forecaster said warned that the central belt was in line for hail, lightning, ice, and several centimetres of snow.

He said weather fronts were expected to bring strong winds on Thursday of up to 60mph and warned of potential disruption to travel.

The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency had a severe flood alert in place for the area bordering Dumbarton and the Vale as the Reporter went to press.

A West Dunbartonshire Council spokeswoman pledged to keep the ‘priority roads’ clear in the face of the storm.

She said: “It’s horrible out there - West Dunbartonshire being hit by blustery showers for the rest of day. Snow possible but not gathering. Tuesday will be the same.

“Our roads and flood prevention teams are monitoring forecasts and will keep priority roads clear and burns flowing.”