Hundreds of schools have closed and flights have been cancelled as amber weather warnings for snow remain in force across parts of Scotland, with widespread wintry conditions causing significant travel disruption. The Met Office has issued amber warnings for heavy snowfall, predicting up to 20-30cm on higher ground and 10cm in low-lying areas.
Schools in Shetland, Orkney, the Western Isles, Aberdeenshire and Moray were closed on Monday. Snow depths reached 34cm at Loch Glascarnoch in the Scottish Highlands, while Dyce in Aberdeenshire and Altnaharra in Sutherland recorded 27cm. Network Rail Scotland warned that heavy drifting snow would prevent trains on several routes until at least midday.
Yellow warnings for snow and ice extend across much of the UK, including parts of England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Sennybridge in Powys saw 19cm of snow, Castlederg in Co Tyrone recorded 9cm, and Bridlington in East Yorkshire had 6cm. Loganair cancelled flights from Aberdeen and Inverness, and Liverpool John Lennon Airport closed its runway temporarily.
In Northern Ireland, 186 schools closed, affecting thousands of pupils. The principal of St Patrick’s and St Brigid’s College in Claudy described conditions as “very, very bad”. Translink warned of delays to bus routes, and the Police Service of Northern Ireland urged motorists to take extra care. Eurostar advised passengers travelling between London and the Netherlands to postpone journeys due to cancellations beyond Brussels.
The UK Health Security Agency has issued amber cold weather warnings for all areas in England until Friday. Scottish transport secretary Fiona Hyslop urged drivers to ensure vehicles are winter-ready and to delay travel if possible. The RAC advised only essential journeys, especially on ungritted roads.
