Scots face blizzards and travel chaos as weather map reveals 75mph storm looming

SCOTLAND is set to be battered by blizzards and travel chaos amid weather warnings across the country.

And in further misery, a weather map has revealed that a 75mph storm is looming.

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A yellow warning covers all of England and parts of the west coast of Scotland.

The weather alert is in place from 3pm tomorrow until 6am on Friday and warns of “strong and gusty winds”.

The Met Office has advised that sea fronts could be battered by large waves.

It goes on to warn of potential “short-term loss of power” and traffic delays.

Elsewhere snow gates were closed at Spittal of Glenshee northbound on the A93 and at Braemar southbound, and also on the A939 northbound at Cock Bridge and southbound at Tomintoul.

There were reports of cars stuck in snow further south in the Crianlarich area early on Wednesday.

A Met Office yellow warning of ice was in force until 10am covering much of the Highlands, northeast, central and south-eastern Scotland.

It warned of icy patches on some untreated roads leading to “tricky driving conditions” and an increased risk of accidents and injuries.

A Met Office yellow warning of strong winds comes into force at 4pm on Wednesday and runs until 9am on Thursday, covering the Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland and part of the Highlands and Argyll and Bute.

Forecasters warn gusts will reach 50-60mph widely with 65-75mph possible in places, especially around exposed coasts.

They said delays to road, rail, air and ferry transport are likely while some short-term loss of power and other services is possible.

Met Office spokeswoman Andrea Bishop said the weather is expected to become more unsettled but milder midweek.

She said: “Wednesday is a fine day for many, before the next low moves in bringing a broad swathe of heavy rain across western areas on Wednesday afternoon and into Thursday.

“Winds will be strong across north-western areas too, and a yellow national severe weather warning for winds has been issued across north and north-west Scotland from Wednesday afternoon until Thursday morning.

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“Winds will initially be south or south-easterly, but turn westerly during Thursday morning.”

And the brutal weather will carry on into the weekend.

A yellow warning is in place for north-west Scotland advising of high winds from 4pm on Wednesday to 9am on Thursday before this spreads to Northern Ireland and across northern England from Thursday afternoon into Friday morning.

The Met Office has then put in place a warning for all of England, Wales, Northern Ireland for heavy rain and wind from 3pm on Friday until 6am on Sunday.

People are being advised of a “danger to life” from flying debris as well as from large waves at the coast.

The Met Office is also warning of possible delays to road, rail and ferry travel during the poor weather.

The advisory states: “A deep low may cross England and Wales from Friday afternoon, clearing to the east Saturday night.

“The low may bring a period of strong winds to much of the warning area, with some heavy rain likely to the north and west of the low centre, and some hill snow in the north (above about 200 metres).

‘DIFFICULT DRIVING CONDITIONS LIKELY’

“Around 15-25mm of rain may fall quite widely, more particularly across central, northern and western parts of England and Wales, with exposed higher ground in the north and west (particularly parts of Wales, which are at greatest risk of seeing flooding impacts) perhaps locally seeing closer to 50-70mm.

“Winds may quite widely gust to around 40-50mph inland but locally could gust in excess of 60mph, whilst around coasts, winds may gust to 60-70mph, perhaps locally nearer 80mph.

“The wind and rain may cause disruption to travel, with difficult driving conditions likely.”

The Met Office advises people to take steps to protect their property from heavy winds and says: “Check for loose items outside your home and plan how you could secure them. Items include bins, garden furniture, trampolines, tents, sheds and fences.”

It adds in the warning: “If you are on the coast, stay safe during stormy weather by being aware of large waves. Even from the shore large breaking waves can sweep you off your feet and out to sea.”