Storm Dave set to hit Scotland over Easter with 90mph winds and snow blizzards

Scotland is set to be hit by strong winds and blizzards as Storm Dave unfolds over Easter weekend.

A yellow warning has been issued by the Met Office, with severe winds forecast, along with frequent heavy showers and blizzard conditions.

But STV meteorologist Sean Batty warned that the alert could be upgraded to amber.

Storm Dave will bring a spell of very strong winds later Saturday into Easter Sunday morning, which could cause some damage and travel disruption.

Gusts could reach up to 60mph in some parts of the country, with 90mph possible in more exposed locations.

Yellow weather warnings over Easter weekend. Met Office

Around the coast, the public is being urged to beware of large waves, which could lead to dangerous conditions.

Rain arriving from the south through Saturday afternoon is likely to turn to sleet and snow over hills as it meets cold air across central and northwest Scotland.

The snow and blizzard conditions are likely to affect travel in parts of northwest Scotland.

Across Saturday evening, snow could turn heavier and, as winds increase, blizzard conditions with drifting and blowing snow are likely to lead to very poor visibility across the hills and mountains of the northwest of the country.

More scattered isolated sleet and snow showers are then expected to follow into Sunday daytime.

Insight Sean Batty STV meteorologist

The most unsettled weather is expected Saturday night into Easter Sunday, as a vigorous storm system moves across the country.

This could bring gusts of around 50mph quite widely, with peaks closer to 70mph along exposed coasts in the north and west, including the Hebrides. This system may even be named, so keep an eye on updates.

Easter Sunday itself will remain windy, especially across Orkney and Shetland where stormy conditions could persist for much of the day as the system pulls away towards Norway.

Elsewhere, expect frequent showers in the west, gusty winds, and snow over the hills. Some heavier showers may also bring hail or sleet to lower levels.

Easter Monday looks more settled for most, with a good deal of dry and sunny weather. However, winds may strengthen again across the Hebrides later in the day, with gusts around 50mph possible.

Yellow warnings

A yellow warning for snow has been issued from 3pm on Saturday to 3am on Sunday, covering Perth and Kinross, Stirling, Aberdeenshire, Moray, Na h-Eileanan Siar, Highland and Argyll and Bute.

Northern areas could see 10-20cm, and with strong wind blizzards, and drifting snow will be an additional hazard.

Meanwhile, a yellow wind warning is in place across most of the country from 6pm on Saturday to 3am on Sunday.

Which parts of the country are affected?

Central, Tayside & Fife

Angus
Clackmannanshire
Dundee
Falkirk
Fife
Perth and Kinross
Stirling

Grampian

Aberdeen
Aberdeenshire
Moray

Highlands & Eilean Siar

Na h-Eileanan Siar
Highland

North East England

Northumberland

SW Scotland, Lothian Borders

Dumfries and Galloway
East Lothian
Edinburgh
Midlothian Council
Scottish Borders
West Lothian

Strathclyde

West Dunbartonshire

Argyll and Bute

East Ayrshire

East Dunbartonshire

East Renfrewshire

Glasgow

Inverclyde

North Ayrshire

North Lanarkshire

Renfrewshire

South Ayrshire

South Lanarkshire

Met Office deputy chief forecaster, Tom Crabtree, said: “Storm Dave will form and rapidly deepen on Saturday as it approaches the UK from the west. By Saturday afternoon, winds will strengthen significantly, with gusts of 60-70mph expected at times across parts of Scotland, with the potential for gusts of 80-90mph in exposed coastal locations in Scotland. Gusts of 50-60mph are likely more widely in northern Britain.

“As well as strong winds, Storm Dave will also bring heavy snowfall over the hills in northern Scotland where up to 10-20cm of snow could accumulate.

“Along with the strong winds this will lead to blizzard conditions. Elsewhere there will be heavy spells of rain as the system moves through eastwards across the UK. With Storm Dave a few days away, people should prepare their property for the strong winds and keep updated with the latest weather forecast as the weather warnings are likely to be updated.”