Over 150 schools and nurseries closed across Scotland as snow and ice warning in place

Over 150 schools and nurseries closed across Scotland as snow and ice warning in place

Over 150 schools and nurseries in Scotland have been closed as the country faces a snow and ice warning. As temperatures dropped overnight, councils in the north of Scotland and in Shetland confirmed the closures on Thursday morning, anticipating what could be the coldest January day in over a decade with forecasters predicting lows of -20C. Some companies providing school transport services in the affected areas have also suspended operations due to the severe weather conditions.

Highland Council announced the closure of 100 schools and 50 nurseries, with a local bus operator not running any services or school transport for passenger safety. Additionally, over 20 schools in Aberdeenshire and five in Shetland will also remain closed. The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning in place until midnight, with up to 15cm of snow expected to fall on high ground in the north and north east of Scotland.

The extreme weather conditions have led to concerns about travel disruptions, with Network Rail and ScotRail taking measures to minimise potential impacts on train services. Teams are working on keeping rail lines open, using techniques like de-icing fluid at track junctions. ScotRail has advised passengers to check their journeys before travelling and to exercise caution due to icy conditions when boarding and alighting trains.

The Met Office has warned of further sleet and snow showers throughout the day before easing off by Thursday evening. North-west Scotland and the Northern and Western Isles are expected to receive the most frequent showers, with accumulations of 3-7cm at lower levels and up to 15cm above 150 metres. Temperatures could plummet to between -16C and -20C, potentially marking the coldest January day in 15 years.

Last weekend saw the lowest temperature of the year recorded at -13.3C in Loch Glascarnoch in the Highlands. The coldest temperature of -14C for last winter was noted in Dalwhinnie, also in the Highlands. While the UK last experienced temperatures below -20C in February 2021 when Braemar in Aberdeenshire dropped to -23C. The situation remains challenging for residents and travellers, and authorities are working to ensure public safety in the midst of the winter weather.

In conclusion, the severe winter weather has caused significant disruptions across Scotland, leading to the closure of numerous schools and nurseries. Authorities and transport services are taking precautions to minimise travel disruptions and ensure the safety of passengers amidst the challenging weather conditions. Stay updated on the latest developments and take necessary precautions when travelling in affected areas.