A severe cold snap has brought widespread disruption to the UK and Ireland, with heavy snowfall forcing hundreds of schools to close and causing significant travel chaos. Amber weather warnings for snow are in force across parts of Scotland, while yellow warnings for snow and ice extend across much of the country.
Widespread School Closures and Transport Disruption
Hundreds of schools have been closed on Monday, primarily in northern Scotland. Affected areas include Shetland, Orkney, the Western Isles, Aberdeenshire, and many in Moray. The disruption comes as many people were returning to work after the festive break.
Transport networks are facing severe challenges. Network Rail Scotland has warned that heavy and drifting snow is likely to prevent trains from running until at least midday on key routes, including:
- Aberdeen to Dundee
- Aberdeen to Inverness
- Inverness to Wick/Thurso
- Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh
Air travel has also been hit, with Loganair cancelling flights from Aberdeen and Inverness. Liverpool John Lennon airport closed its runway due to wintry conditions, leading to further delays and cancellations.
Significant Snowfall and Further Warnings
The Met Office has reported snow depths reaching 14cm in parts of Aberdeenshire. They warn that rural communities risk becoming cut off, with a further 10cm of snow potentially accumulating in low-lying areas and up to 20-30cm on higher ground.
Amber weather warnings for snow are active in Scotland, indicating a high likelihood of heavy snowfall and significant travel disruption. Concurrently, yellow warnings for snow and ice cover much of England and Wales, with the east coast, south-west, and most of Wales expecting cold and icy conditions.
In Ireland, Met Éireann has issued yellow weather warnings for ice and snow across all counties, cautioning the public about "treacherous travel conditions."
Official Response and Health Advisory
The Scottish transport secretary, Fiona Hyslop, urged caution for those who must travel. "We’ve already seen challenging conditions and freezing temperatures, with more snow and ice on the way for the same areas," she said. Hyslop advised people to ensure their vehicles are winter-ready, carry a winter kit, and follow Police Scotland travel advice. She also expressed gratitude to frontline staff, including gritter drivers and police officers, working in the difficult conditions.
The UK Health Security Agency has issued an amber cold health alert for all regions of England, which will remain in place until 10am on Friday, highlighting the risks posed by the prolonged cold weather to public health.
As the wintry conditions persist, authorities continue to advise the public to stay updated on warnings and avoid non-essential travel in the worst-affected areas.
