Fresh winter weather is set to hit parts of Scotland this week, with forecasters warning of significant snow and strong winds. The Met Office has issued new yellow weather alerts, predicting potential travel disruption and hazardous conditions.
The national weather service has activated a yellow warning for mainland Scotland and Orkney, effective from midnight Monday until 15:00 Wednesday. A separate alert for Shetland begins at 18:00 on Tuesday.
Regions Braced for Further Disruption
This new wave of bad weather will affect areas already struggling with recent snow, rain, and flooding since January. Counties including the Highlands, Moray, Aberdeenshire, and Perth and Kinross all fall within the warning zones.
Expected Snowfall Accumulations
The Met Office forecasts widespread low-level accumulations of up to 5cm (2 inches) of snow by Wednesday. Conditions will be more severe on higher ground, where snow depths could reach 20cm (8 inches). In Shetland, a general covering of 3cm (over an inch) is likely, building to 10cm (4 inches) over hills.
At lower levels, precipitation will mix between rain, sleet, and snow, leading to variable conditions and some slushy accumulations.
Risk of Blizzards and Drifting Snow
Strong winds will accompany the snowfall, particularly in northern parts of the warning area. These gusts will create blizzard conditions, significantly reducing visibility. The winds will also cause lying snow to drift, worsening travel hazards on exposed routes.
Residents and travelers are advised to check the latest forecasts and travel information before setting out.
