UPDATE: Hundreds of schools in northern Scotland will remain closed for a fourth consecutive day as a severe snow and ice warning continues to impact the region. The Met Office has extended a yellow weather warning, now in effect until noon on Thursday, predicting an additional 1-2 cm of snow in lower areas and up to 5 cm for elevations above 200 metres.
The heavy snowfall has already disrupted the return to school for thousands of pupils, who were expected back after the winter break on Monday. In Aberdeenshire alone, 150 schools will remain closed, with numerous bus services cancelled. The situation is similarly dire in the Highlands, Moray, and Orkney, where schools have also been forced to shut their doors.
Authorities are sounding alarms, with Aberdeenshire Council declaring a major incident as rural communities face possible isolation due to snow levels reaching nearly a foot in some areas. Residents like Doug Griffin describe this winter as “one of the worst in 25 years.” He stated, “There has been nothing like this since 2010… It makes it really difficult to do anything.”
The severe weather has wreaked havoc on transportation. Major roads and railways are facing closures, with drifts of snow up to 1.2 metres impacting train services. The A9, a key route, was closed earlier this week to recover a Royal Mail lorry that crashed off the road due to poor conditions. However, Network Rail Scotland announced that most railway lines reopened on Wednesday, though challenges remain, particularly on the Inverness to Wick/Thurso line.
In response to the disruptions, Police Scotland is urging residents to heed travel advice and stay safe. Assistant Chief Constable Alan Waddell emphasized the importance of community support during these challenging times, stating, “Local resilience partnerships are continuing to meet to co-ordinate and deliver the response to disruption experienced by communities.”
As snow continues to fall, the public is advised to check on neighbors and relatives safely, while local authorities and emergency services work tirelessly to address the impacts of this unprecedented weather.
Residents are reminded to remain vigilant and adhere to travel advisories as conditions may worsen. The situation remains fluid, and updates will follow as authorities monitor the weather closely.
