Snow hits Scotland as Christmas storms loom with 80mph gales to batter country

SNOW has blanketed parts of Scotland today as a two-day weather alert looms.

Residents in northern areas, including Perth and Kinross and the Highlands, woke up to see the white stuff outside this morning.

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In Tomatin, near Inverness, a snow plough was spotted gritting roads and motorists faced wintry conditions in nearby Carrbridge.

The snowfall comes as much of Scotland braces for 80mph winds this weekend.

Originally, the Met Office issued a one-day yellow weather warning for gales across the west and some northern areas of Scotland on Saturday.

But this has been updated to run into most of Sunday.

The 17-hour alert on Saturday is from 7am until midnight and covers the whole country, bar Shetland.

There is also a 21-hour yellow weather warning for wind on Sunday, from midnight until 9pm.

The alert covers most parts of Scotland, except Orkney and Shetland.

The Met Office has warned that strong winds could cause “significant transport disruption”, as many people across the country will travel to visit family or friends for Christmas.

Ferry sailings are expected to be impacted and rail services could also be affected.

Operator Calmac has listed several routes liable to disruption this weekend, including Largs to Cumbrae, Colintraive to Rhubodach, Berneray to Leverburgh, and Oban to Lismore.

Sailings between Mallaig and the Small Isles and Mallaig and Armadale have been cancelled on Saturday and Sunday.

Freight services between UIlapool and Stornoway could also be delayed or called off between Saturday and Monday.

Flights may be thrown into turmoil and some roads and bridges could be closed.

The weather service has also warned of potential damage to property and power outages.

Mobile phone coverage could also be impacted in some areas.

Locals and visitors to coastal spots have been warned that “injuries and danger to life” could be caused by large waves.

The weather experts have also issued information on how best to prepare for a storm, and how to protect yourself and others.

Jonathon Vautrey, a Met Office meteorologist, said that travel disruption and flooding could hit some areas of the country with up to 150mm of rain could fall.

He said: “Over the next 24-36 hours, the rainfall totals really will be building up with widely half a month’s worth of rain falling across parts of the Highlands and even into northern areas of Argyll and Bute.”

And he urged people to “take care” as snow melt will add water to rivers.

As well as windy conditions, much of Scotland will see rain this weekend, with showers expected to last most of Saturday and Sunday in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Inverness, and Ayr.