Snow and ice warnings across Scotland as temperatures plummet

Scotland is facing severe icy conditions and patches of snow as temperatures plummet across the country.

The Met Office has issued yellow alerts, which remain in force until 10am on Tuesday.

The warning zone is large, mainly to cover the risk of ice across a wide area.

STV meteorologist Sean Batty said snow is most likely to affect the Northern Isles, Lewis and Harris
the north Highlands, Moray, and Aberdeenshire. There will be a little snow on high ground in Fife, Lothians and Borders.

Ice risk Monday night into Tuesday. STV News

“There are two bands of wintry weather to come through on Monday and into the early hours of Tuesday morning,” Sean said.

“On Monday, sleet and snow will move across Moray, Aberdeenshire and Angus – mainly over higher ground.

“Higher routes such as the A93, A939 and A9 could turn quite snowy for a time.”

Monday midnight to 3am - Main snow risk: Where is snow most likely and when? — Monday midnight to 3am – Main snow risk: Where is snow most likely and when? STV News

A more organised band of snow will move across the north of the country covering Shetland, Orkney, the north Highlands, Skye, Lewis, Harris and North Uist.

“A few centimetres are possible even at low levels away from the coasts,” Sean said.

“2 to 5cm is likely in higher towns and villages and the highest communities, such as Moy, could see more than 5cm.”

Between midnight and 3am on Tuesday, the snow band pushes southeast into the east Highlands, Moray, Aberdeenshire, Perthshire and Angus.

“Snow may again fall heavily, particularly across Moray and Aberdeenshire,” Sean said.

“Similar totals are expected here as in the north of the country earlier in the night. Higher villages including Tomintoul, Dava, Aitnoch, Carbrach, Corgarff and Strathdon could see 5 to 8cm of lying snow.”

As the system moves south, Fife, Edinburgh and the Borders are less likely to see widespread low-level snow.

However, wet ground will freeze, creating icy conditions by Tuesday morning and a little snow could settle over higher spots such as; Glendevon, Upper Yetts, Penicuik, and the higher ground around Gifford and Garvald.

The ice risk is high across most of Scotland for Tuesday morning away from the Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway coast.

Disruption to roads and railways is likely, as well as slips and falls on icy surfaces.

A few isolated lightning strikes are possible, the Met Office has warned.

Strong winds are also likely during Monday evening and night, with gusts reaching up to 60mph in more exposed areas.

The Met Office has advised the public to leave earlier than usual to reduce the risk of accidents caused by rushing.

Pedestrians should stick to pavements along main roads, which are likely to be less slippery.