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Significant snowfall across northern Scotland has led to widespread school closures and major disruptions to transportation. The region is currently under amber weather warnings, effective until 10:00 Monday, as freezing conditions persist. Several areas including Aberdeen, Angus, Aberdeenshire, Moray, The Highlands, as well as the Orkney and Shetland Islands, have been particularly hard-hit, with drifting snow and icy conditions causing road, rail, and air travel difficulties.
The Met Office has forecasted an additional 5-10cm (2-4 inches) of snow across much of the northeast, Highlands, and Northern Isles, with some mainland locations potentially receiving 20-30cm (8-12 inches). A broader yellow weather warning for snow and ice remains in place for most of the country through the end of Monday. Overnight temperatures plunged as low as -9.3°C at Tulloch Bridge in the Highlands.
Efforts to keep roads passable are ongoing, with gritting vehicles operating extensively as the country sees many people returning to schools and workplaces after the holiday break. Bear Scotland has deployed its full fleet of 115 gritters across both the northwest and southeast regions. Euan Scott from Bear Scotland’s northwest division emphasized, “We are working closely with partner organisations, and our winter fleet is fully deployed and will continue to treat North West trunk roads in an effort to keep them open to traffic.” He also cautioned drivers that even when the amber warning is lifted, the yellow warning for snow and ice will remain active until Tuesday night. Similarly, Amey, responsible for the northeast, reports working at full capacity to maintain traffic flow.
Heavy snow accumulation is particularly notable in Tomintoul, within the Cairngorms, where about 50cm (19.6 inches) was recorded by Sunday evening. In Aberdeenshire, all schools are closed on Monday, while those in Aberdeen will open late, no earlier than 11:00. Over 60 schools and nurseries across Moray have decided to remain closed, and educational facilities in Shetland, Orkney, and the Western Isles are shut until further notice. Jim Savage, chief executive of Aberdeenshire Council, revealed that approximately 200 staff members were deployed on Monday morning to clear roads. Speaking to BBC Radio Scotland Breakfast, Savage explained that 44 road gritters and 47 footway gritters were actively involved, but some villages remain “cut off completely.” On the school closures, he remarked, “We don’t want people to be having to travel unnecessarily across the network at the moment,” and acknowledged pupils’ disappointment but expressed hope for a swift return.
Aberdeen Airport remains open despite cancellations affecting flights to Amsterdam, Dublin, and London Heathrow. In contrast, Sumburgh Airport in Shetland and Kirkwall Airport in Orkney are closed. Ferry transport, however, continues to operate without disruption. Rail services have also been impacted, with ScotRail reporting that “route proving” was underway Monday morning. While trains on the Highland Main Line between Inverness and Perth were running, services between Aberdeen and Dundee, Aberdeen and Inverness, and Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh or Wick were likely to be delayed or suspended. Network Rail noted that trains cannot operate safely in snow depths exceeding 30cm (12 inches) unless equipped with snow ploughs. Ross Moran, route director at Network Rail, urged patience, stating, “Safety of our passengers and our colleagues is our top priority. We’ll only reopen lines and return to normal operations once we’re confident it’s safe to do so.
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