Hundreds of schools across northern Scotland are facing a second consecutive day of closures on Tuesday, 6th January 2026, as severe weather warnings for snow and ice continue to cause significant disruption nationwide.
Met Office Issues Critical Amber Alert
The Met Office has escalated its warnings, issuing an amber alert for snow for large parts of north-east and northern Scotland. This warning is active from 11am until 7pm on Tuesday. Forecasters predict widespread snowfall of 5-10cm, with up to 15cm accumulating in some areas, particularly above 200 metres.
A separate yellow warning for snow and ice covers areas as far south as Perth until midnight, while another yellow warning stretches from the central belt down beyond the English border until 11am Tuesday.
Widespread Transport and Education Disruption
The impact of the snowy conditions is being felt across multiple sectors. In Glasgow, the city's entire subway network was suspended on Tuesday morning due to a power failure caused by ice on the third rail. Operator SPT confirmed both inner and outer circles were halted.
Schools in Shetland, Orkney, and Aberdeenshire will remain shut, extending the festive break for pupils after an initial closure on Monday. National Rail has advised that train services in northern Scotland will be disrupted until the end of Tuesday, though ScotRail aims to run morning services between Aberdeen and Dundee.
Air travel has also been hit, with Loganair cancelling flights from Aberdeen and Inverness airports on Monday. Several services to and from Sumburgh Airport in Shetland and Kirkwall Airport in Orkney were also grounded.
Official Warnings and Community Response
Police Scotland has urged the public to exercise extreme caution. Assistant Chief Constable Alan Waddell stated, "The forecasted heavy snow showers and ice means driving conditions are likely to be hazardous in some areas. Our advice is to plan ahead and consider if your journey is really necessary."
Following a meeting with emergency responders, utilities, and local authorities, Scotland's First Minister John Swinney acknowledged the "significant" impact of the snow. He confirmed a "huge effort" was underway to maintain transport links and public services, with remote learning in place for affected schools.
Mr Swinney paid tribute to the "truly exceptional" efforts of farmers, volunteers, and the public in clearing roads and assisting those in need, highlighting a "heartening" display of community spirit. He warned that further cold weather, snow, and ice are expected in the coming days and urged people to continue planning ahead.
