Storm Dave is set to cause travel disruption across the UK this Easter weekend, with heavy snow and gale-force winds forecast, particularly in northern regions. The Met Office has issued a yellow severe weather warning for Scotland, predicting up to 30 centimetres of snow in some areas, leading to potential travel and power disruptions.
An amber wind alert covering parts of northern England, north-west Wales and southern Scotland was lifted early on Sunday, but two yellow wind warnings remain in place until midday for northern England and Scotland. A separate warning for Wales is expected to end at 7am. Motorists are advised of possible disruptions on roads, railways, air and ferry services.
Greg Dewhurst, a Met Office meteorologist, said cold air over Scotland would turn rain to snow as it pushes across the region. 'We’ll see heavy snow forming across parts of the Highlands as we go through the rest of the afternoon into the evening and early hours,' he warned. Up to 30cm could fall on higher ground, with 5-10cm at lower levels.
Temperatures are expected to rise after Easter Monday as warmer air arrives from Europe, with highs of around 20-21C on Tuesday and possibly 23-24C by Wednesday, typical for April. However, the immediate forecast brings challenging conditions. Traffic Scotland reported restrictions on several major bridges due to strong winds, including the Queensferry Crossing, while the Humber Bridge was closed to high-sided and vulnerable vehicles. ScotRail confirmed emergency speed restrictions on parts of its network.
Scotland's First Minister John Swinney urged the public to follow official advice and stay safe. The RAC anticipates the busiest Easter on the roads since 2022, while Abta estimates two million UK residents will travel abroad between Good Friday and Easter Monday. Network Rail Scotland highlighted the Ayrshire coast, east coast mainline and north-east as the worst affected lines.
