The Met Office has issued a fresh round of severe weather warnings, forecasting more snow and ice for Scotland over the coming weekend. This follows a week of intense winter conditions that have already caused significant travel chaos and forced hundreds of schools to close.
Weekend Weather Warnings in Detail
A yellow warning for snow and ice is active for most of Scotland from midday on Friday, 9th January 2026, until 3pm on Saturday. A second, similar warning will then come into force from 2am until 3pm on Sunday. Forecasters warn that a band of snow moving over Scotland and northern England is likely to lead to further travel delays and disruption.
The Met Office stated: "Whilst not all areas will be affected, scattered wintry showers will continue to feed inland from the North Sea through Friday afternoon, evening and overnight into Saturday morning." They added that ice will be a widespread hazard as temperatures plummet below freezing.
Ongoing Impact on Schools and Transport
The new warnings come as the region grapples with the aftermath of several days of "intense" snowfall and sub-zero temperatures. On Friday, more than 250 schools remained closed for a fifth consecutive day, including over 150 in Aberdeenshire and dozens in the Highlands and Aberdeen. This has meant a disrupted start to the new term for many pupils, with remote learning deployed where possible.
While main trunk routes in the north and north-east have been cleared, many local roads are still affected. In Aberdeen, a huge operation involving gritters, ploughs, diggers and hundreds of staff continues to tackle the deep snow. Council co-leader Ian Yuill described it as a "huge job", noting the challenge of repeated snowfall requiring crews to constantly re-clear priority routes.
Rail services are recovering, with the northern section of the Far North Line between Brora and Wick/Thurso finally reopening on Thursday evening after being blocked by snow.
Recovery Efforts and Official Response
Scottish Government ministers attended a meeting of the Resilience Room on Thursday to coordinate the response. First Minister John Swinney confirmed that the focus is now shifting towards recovery, stating: "We are, however, thankfully, in a position where we are able to focus more on recovery than dealing with the immediate incident."
Justice Secretary Angela Constance cautioned that impacts will continue to be felt, noting: "...with Storm Goretti set to affect other parts of the UK and a cold but still unpredictable weather picture for Scotland over the weekend." Police Scotland's Assistant Chief Constable Alan Waddell encouraged the public to check on neighbours and relatives safely where possible.
The situation remains precarious, and authorities are urging people across Scotland to stay updated on the latest warnings and travel advice before venturing out this weekend.
