Scotland has been hit by heavy snow Warning as heavy snow hits again
Scotland has been hit by heavy snow The Met Office has issued severe weather warnings for heavy snow – up to 6in – in many places across the north of Scotland and the islands.
It warned of further heavy snow falls in Orkney and Shetland, the Highlands and Outer Hebrides, and Grampian.
Forecasters warned of overnight temperatures dropping as low as -15C.
Strong winds will cause the snow to drift in some areas and ice could be a problem, with temperatures struggling to get above freezing on Saturday.
Northern Constabulary warned drivers to exercise extra caution and consider postponing journeys until weather conditions improve.
The SPL matches between Aberdeen and Motherwell at Pittodrie and between St Johnstone and Dundee United on Saturday have already been called off.
And Stornoway’s charity Santa fun run has been cancelled because of the wintry conditions.
However, snow sports centres have taken advantage of the conditions. Glenshee and Cairngorm Mountain have opened to skiers and snowboarders and the Nevis Range is expected to open on Saturday.
The weather conditions have already caused widespread disruptions in the north of Scotland.
Northern Constabulary said driving conditions were atrocious in Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross on Thursday night and several people had to be rescued near Halkirk in Caithness on Friday.
About 500 schools in the north, north east, Western Isles and Northern Isles were closed on Friday because of the weather.
BBC Scotland senior forecaster Gail McGrane said the cold weather was likely to continue through the weekend and into next week.
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She said: “As we go into the weekend it will be eastern areas which are most at risk of further snow showers with some pushing through the central belt, although much of western Scotland will be dry and sunny but still bitterly cold.”
The Scottish government has secured further relaxations of the enforcement of EU drivers’ hours rules to help ensure deliveries get to stores, supermarkets and petrol stations across Scotland.
On Friday transport minister Keith Brown visited gritting crews at the BEAR Scotland/Aberdeen City Council shared depot on the West Tullos industrial estate to see first hand the multi-agency response to keep the north-east and Highlands and Islands moving in the face of severe winter weather.
He said: “Everything that can be done is being done and we are working around the clock to deal with the challenges presented by the extreme weather currently being experienced in the north east and north of Scotland.
“A quarter of all Scotland’s trunk road vehicles have been deployed in the north-east over the last 24 hours. This includes bringing in additional equipment from Perth and Dundee to help the most affected areas.”
He said that an extra 1,000 tonnes of salt were being released from the strategic salt stock immediately for Aberdeenshire Council, and a further 1,000 tonnes would be made available over the holiday period as required.
Mr Brown added: “While all public agencies are working round the clock and we recognise the high level of collaboration involved, the fact is the conditions we face are atrocious and present real challenges for motorists. It is vital that people across the north of Scotland and the islands pay heed to police advice – travel only as advised.”
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