Snow chaos has struck Scotland’s roads as temperatures plummet across the country, accompanied by several weather warnings. Weather experts have cautioned drivers to be vigilant while travelling due to the new warnings predicting strong winds and ice. An alert spanning from Thurso to Dumfries, which commenced at 9 pm on Tuesday, is set to last until 10 am on December 4. The A9 witnessed snow earlier today, resulting in a Fedex lorry skidding off the road near Dalwhinnie. Emergency Services rushed to the scene, where the driver fortunately sustained only minor injuries. Additionally, vehicles overturned at Glentruim off the A9 due to heavy snowfall.
In the central belt, roads outside Glen Ogle in Forth Valley were blocked by heavy snow, prompting police to advise drivers to steer clear of the area. Police Scotland road officers in Forth Valley stated, “1730hrs please avoid the area of Lochearnhead north on the A84/A85 Glen Ogle is currently blocked due to heavy snow!” Shortly after, Police in Tayside confirmed the closure of the A93 at the snow gates at Spittal of Glenshee due to heavy snow, urging people to avoid the area. The weather disturbance is a result of rain and snow moving eastwards, which is expected to swiftly clear, leading to a rapid drop in temperatures likely resulting in ice formation, especially on untreated surfaces.
Met Office meteorologist Honor Criswick mentioned in Tuesday’s forecast, “Now through this evening this cloud will continue to move its way south and eastward, snow still falling on high ground snow across Scotland. We may even see some flurries of snow across the Pennines at times too.” Looking ahead, the far north is poised to encounter a wind warning starting at 4 pm on Wednesday, December 4, until 9 am on Thursday, December 5. Strong winds are predicted to initially be south or southeasterly, shifting to westerly on Thursday morning. Gusts between 50-60mph are anticipated in most affected areas, with coastal regions possibly facing 60-75mph gales.
This warning encompasses the far north, including the Highlands, Na h-Eileanan Siar, Argyll & Bute, Orkney, and Shetland Islands. Pedestrians and cyclists are advised to adhere to primary roads and footpaths that are less likely to be slippery. Those driving are urged to allocate extra time for journeys, check road conditions or public transport schedules, and be prepared to alter travel plans if necessary. In a statement, a FedEx spokesperson informed the Courier, “We can confirm that one of our vehicles was involved in an incident on the A9 near Dalwhinnie earlier today. We are relieved that the driver has only minor injuries and have arranged for their safe return home. We thank the emergency services and will continue to work closely with the relevant authorities.”
In summary, Scotland is currently facing challenging weather conditions with snow, strong winds, and icy surfaces affecting road travel across the country. It is crucial for individuals to exercise caution, stay informed about current weather alerts, and make necessary adjustments to travel plans to ensure safety during this period of inclement weather.