A significant cold snap is set to grip Scotland, with the Met Office issuing urgent yellow warnings for ice and snow. Residents across central and northern parts of the country are being advised to prepare for hazardous conditions.
Warnings in Force: Key Areas and Timings
A yellow warning for ice will be active from 5am on Tuesday until midday, covering a wide area including Lanarkshire, Ayrshire, Edinburgh, the Lothians, Stirling, and Fife. Separately, parts of the north east and the Highlands were under a yellow ice warning from 7pm on Monday until 10am on Tuesday.
Furthermore, a separate yellow warning for snow is in place for most of Tuesday, affecting Angus, Stirling, and Perthshire. Snow is expected to settle on hills above 300 metres, with Tuesday's rain moving south-eastwards and likely to freeze on cold surfaces, creating widespread icy patches, particularly during the morning.
Met Office Advice for Staying Safe
The Met Office has issued clear guidance for the public. A spokesperson advised: “Keep yourself and your family safe when it is icy. Plan to leave the house at least five minutes earlier than normal. Not needing to rush, reduces your risk of accidents, slips, and falls.”
For those travelling on foot or by bicycle, the advice is to stick to main roads where possible, as these are more likely to have been gritted. All travellers are strongly encouraged to check road conditions and public transport timetables before setting out.
A Nationwide Chill Sets In
This localised warning is part of a broader pattern of cold weather affecting the entire UK this week. Dan Holley, Deputy Chief Meteorologist at the Met Office, explained that a northerly flow from the Arctic is driving the temperatures down.
He stated: “This will bring much colder conditions than of late and, whilst generally drier than recent days, there will also be a risk of wintry hazards, such as snow and ice.” The cold has already been felt, with Tulloch Bridge in the Highlands recording minus 7C on Saturday, making it the coldest night since March. Widespread frosts and daytime temperatures in single figures are expected across the country throughout the week.
