Police warn drivers not to travel during Storm Bert due to heavy snow and ice

Police are warning drivers to consider traveling and take extra precautions on the roads during Storm Burt.

The Met Office said the storm was expected to bring “heavy rain, strong winds and damaging snow to parts of the UK over the weekend” and warned of travel disruption and potential flooding.

Amber weather warnings and multiple yellow warnings have been issued for up to 40cm of snow to fall at higher ground.

The yellow alert covers Angus, Perth and Kinross, Stirling, Aberdeenshire, the Highlands, Argyll and Bute.

Drivers are asked to consider the need for travel and consider delaying travel.

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Superintendent Winnie Fisher, Deputy Chief Traffic Officer, said: “All road users should consider whether they really need to travel in bad weather.

“When driving on ice and snow, stay away from the road user ahead. Braking distances can be ten times longer than on dry roads.

“Before driving, check your windshield washer levels and make sure your windows are completely clear. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in a fine.

“Listen to media broadcasts for updates, follow Transport Scotland and the Met Office on social media and share information with others.”

Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “The Met Office is warning us that Storm Burt will bring a period of challenging weather this weekend, with an amber warning for snow and ice issued for parts of Central Scotland on Saturday, followed by yellow warnings for snow and ice on Saturday. . and wind over much of the country.

“These conditions are likely to lead to increased traffic conditions and disruption to the wider transport network, so it is important that anyone who needs to travel during the warning period plans their journey in advance.

“You should plan your route in advance, be aware of weather conditions and follow Police Scotland travel advice. Other modes of transport may be subject to disruption, so you should check with your operators before departure whether you plan to travel by rail, ferry or air.”

Storm Burt: Heavy rainfall across the country this weekend

A heavy rain and snow warning called “Storm Burt” comes into effect Saturday and Sunday in 27 council areas.

Forecasters said heavy snowfall on Saturday night would be followed by a “rapid thaw and subsequent rain” which could disrupt travel.

The Met Office is forecasting difficult travel conditions, as well as the possibility of power cuts, loss of mobile communications and strandings.

A yellow warning for rain and snow covering much of Scotland and the rest of the UK is in place from 4am on Saturday. Heavy snowfall followed by a rapid thaw and subsequent rain on Saturday evening could cause disruption, the Met Office said.

A yellow wind warning comes into force at 5am on Saturday as Storm Burt touches down in Scotland, bringing wind gusts of up to 70mph and causing chaos in places. Coastal areas are predicted to be hit the hardest.

A yellow warning for snow and ice in the central Highlands will bring heavy snowfall and travel disruptions from 7am to 5pm on Saturday.

Snow and ice caused disruptions this week

Since this week, large parts of Scotland have faced travel disruptions, schools have been forced to close, and severe road conditions have resulted in several Met Office warnings being issued.

A bus has overturned in Aberdeenshire and a man has died in a four-vehicle crash on the A9.

On Wednesday a car caught fire on the A96 near Inverurie and a truck crashed on the A9 at Daviot in the Highlands, causing road closures.

More than 30 schools were closed across Aberdeenshire on Thursday, while Inverness Royal Academy, Inverness High School and Charleston Academy were also closed.

Stagecoach Buses has confirmed that all services across Inverness have been suspended due to road conditions.

Sandblasting conditions have been put in place amid snow and ice warnings, with the lowest temperature recorded on Tuesday night being -11.2C in Braemar.

The cold weather will continue for a few more days before abruptly turning to milder weather over the weekend.

Wednesday night will be another bitterly cold one, with temperatures dropping to -8C in several places across central and southern Scotland, while wintry showers and icy weather continue to affect northern areas. Overnight, slightly less cold weather will turn the snow in northern parts to a mix of rain and sleet, but snow levels will continue to rise.

Wintry weather will hit the west of the country on Thursday with rain and sleet in the Highlands, Argyll and Bute, Glasgow, Dunbartonshire, Renfrewshire, Inverclyde and Ayrshire. Snow will fall on higher ground, meaning wet, slushy snow may settle on grass in areas such as Aplmoor and East Kilbride.

There will be a big change on Saturday with storms moving into coastal areas and islands as milder weather moves north. There will also be heavy rain, which will initially fall as snow at higher ground, although even here it is likely to get wetter as warmer air moves in. Inner Hebrides, Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway are a significant improvement from the low levels of the last few days.

Colder air will return to the south early next week, but it doesn’t look like it will last very long or be as wintry as it has been in the north of the country this period.