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Snow blankets Scotland as map shows Met Office warning zone & 75mph storm looms

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Snow blankets Scotland as map shows Met Office warning zone & 75mph storm looms

SCOTLAND is being hit with snow flurries as forecasters warned of 75mph gusts within hours.

The Met Office has issued yellow weather alerts for snow and ice covering large swathes of the country.

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Scotland is being hit with snow flurries as forecasters warned of 75mph gustsCredit: Tom Farmer
Scots should expect some icy patches on some untreated roads

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Scots should expect some icy patches on some untreated roadsCredit: Northpix
A second yellow warning for wind is in place from 4pm tomorrow

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A second yellow warning for wind is in place from 4pm tomorrow
The alerts cover large swathes of the country

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The alerts cover large swathes of the countryCredit: Met Office

The first warning comes into force at 9pm tonight and lasts until 10am tomorrow.

It covers the central belt, including Glasgow and Edinburgh, and also stretches north to Perthshire, Aberdeenshire, and the Highlands.

Residents of Dumfries and the Borders are also affected.

A second yellow warning for wind is in place from 4pm tomorrow until 9am on Thursday.

It covers the Highlands, Orkney and Shetland, and the Strathclyde region.

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

Forecasters said: “A band of rain and snow will move east across Scotland this afternoon and evening (which could lead to some lying snow on higher transport routes).

“Once this clears temperatures will quickly fall during Tuesday evening and ice is likely to form readily on untreated surface during the evening and overnight into Wednesday morning.”

Scots should expect some icy patches on some untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths, leading to tricky driving conditions and increasing the risk of accidents and injuries.

Ferry operator CalMac has already anticipated disruption to its services by placing a variety of routes on notice for cancellation or delay.

SPFL side stuck in snow as Storm Bert chaos hits

Disruption to road and rail services is expected, accompanied by the prospect of short-term power cuts.

There is also the risk of some injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces.

The latest development comes weeks after the country was battered by Storm Bert.

The severe weather had a huge impact on football fixtures with a series of games postponed and others delayed.

Major motorways and trunk roads were brought to a standstill due to heavy snow – while train, ferry and bus services were axed.

The M8 between Glasgow and Edinburgh ground to a halt near Livingston, West Lothian, as cars skidded and the £1.35 billion Queensferry Crossing had to be shut due to the risk of chunks of ice landing on cars below.

What should I do?

The Met Office provides several pieces of advice for staying safe in snow and ice:

  1. Travel: Avoid travelling unless absolutely necessary. If you must travel, ensure your vehicle is equipped with winter essentials such as a shovel, blanket, food, water, and a fully charged mobile phone. Check the weather forecast and road conditions before setting off.
  2. Footwear: Wear sturdy, insulated, and waterproof footwear with good grip to prevent slips and falls.
  3. Clothing: Dress in layers to stay warm and dry. Wear a hat, gloves, and scarf to protect exposed skin from the cold.
  4. Driving: If you have to drive, do so slowly and carefully. Increase your following distance to account for longer stopping times on icy roads. Use low gears to maintain control and avoid sudden braking or acceleration.
  5. Home: Keep your home warm by setting the heating to come on at regular intervals. Ensure you have enough fuel if you use oil, LPG, or solid fuel heating. Stock up on essential supplies in case you are unable to leave your home.
  6. Neighbours: Check on vulnerable neighbours or relatives to ensure they are warm and have everything they need.
  7. Clearing Snow: If you are clearing snow, do so carefully to avoid injury. Use a shovel to move snow to the side rather than directly in front of you, and take frequent breaks to avoid overexertion.
  8. Emergency Kit: Keep an emergency kit at home with essentials such as torches, batteries, medication, and non-perishable food items.

By following these guidelines, you can help ensure your safety and the safety of others during snowy and icy conditions.

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