Further travel disruption expected as new weather warning issued
The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for snow and ice across northern and western Scotland on Monday and Tuesday.
Wintry weather could cause further travel disruption in large parts of Scotland on Monday and Tuesday, forecasters have warned.
The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for snow and ice for northern and western Scotland, including the northern and western isles.
The forecasters said there is a likelihood of roads and railways being disrupted, and icy patches forming on untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths.
This latest warning comes into effect at 4pm on Monday and expires at 12pm on Tuesday.
Snow showers are expected to continue for the rest of Monday and into Tuesday morning, bringing accumulations of 5-10cm of snow on higher ground in the north and 2-5cm elsewhere.
Airline companies based at Aberdeen Airport have had to cancel and delay flights as they have been unable to de-ice planes, with many being rerouted through Edinburgh Airport.
Although the runway at the airport remains open and operational, the respective airline companies have had no choice but to make the decision.
A spokesman for Aberdeen International Airport said: “We understand how frustrating delays can be, especially during challenging weather conditions.
“While the airport is responsible for de-icing runways and taxiways to ensure safe take-offs and landings, the de-icing of individual aircraft is managed by the airlines and their contracted ground handling teams.
“Aberdeen International Airport has remained open and operational due to the hard work of our team in maintaining the airfield.”
Showers are also due to fall as rain or sleet on lower ground on Monday evening, with forecasters warning this could lead to a risk of icy stretches.
On Monday at about 4pm, a car collided with a building on the B842 at Stewarton, Campbeltown, Argyll and Bute – an area affected by the warning.
The latest warning comes after days of wintry weather, with the UK experiencing its coldest night of the winter so far when temperatures dropped to minus 13.3C at Loch Glascarnoch in the Highlands on Sunday night, according to Met Office data.
The inclement weather has caused travel widespread travel disruption throughout Scotland since the new year, roads closed in some areas, and services being suspended on two highland railway lines last week due to landslips and flooding.
More than 80 schools and nurseries across Aberdeenshire, Moray and Highland council areas were also forced to close on Monday as a result of snow and difficult driving conditions, on what should have been the first day back for pupils after the holidays.
With further cold weather to come, travellers are being advised to check their journeys before setting off.
In a post on X, ScotRail said: “The Met Office have updated weather warnings for snow and ice across Scotland, covering today and Tuesday. With very cold weather throughout the full week.
“Please check your entire journey using our app or website if you’re travelling, delays and alterations may occur.”
Network Rail Scotland also said it has made preparations to deal with the weather.
In a post on X on Sunday, it said: “Locomotives with ploughs are standing by at strategic locations, ready to clear tracks if it’s needed.
“Snow showers remain likely across parts of the West Highland Line and lines out of Inverness for the first half of the week.”
