Met Office Issues Dual Yellow Snow Warnings Across Scotland, Disruption Expected
The Met Office has issued two separate yellow weather warnings for snow across significant parts of Scotland, with the potential for considerable disruption to public transport and local services. These alerts come as wintry conditions are forecast to sweep across the country, prompting authorities to advise caution and preparedness.
Geographical Scope and Timing of the Warnings
The first and more extensive yellow warning covers a vast swathe of northern and eastern Scotland. This alert extends northwards from Stirling, encompassing key areas including Perth, Aviemore, Inverness, Fife, and the Highlands, reaching as far as the Orkney Islands. This warning is scheduled to come into effect at midnight on Tuesday and will remain active until 3pm on Wednesday, indicating a prolonged period of potential snowfall and hazardous conditions.
A second, separate yellow warning has been specifically issued for the Shetland Islands. This alert is set to commence at 6pm on Tuesday and will persist until the end of Wednesday. Notably, the west and north-west regions of Scotland are currently not affected by these warnings, though conditions can change rapidly.
Associated Risks and Official Advisories
Concurrently, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) has highlighted additional environmental risks. A formal flood warning is currently in place for the Churchill Barriers area within the Orkney Islands. Furthermore, Sepa has cautioned about the possibility of localised flooding in parts of Tayside and Angus, although no official warning or alert has been issued for these specific areas at this time.
On its official website, a Sepa spokesperson elaborated on the risks, stating: “Localised coastal impacts are possible in Orkney and up the east coast from high wave overtopping at times of high tide. Localised river flooding impacts are also possible in eastern Tayside and Angus, resulting in flooding to low lying land and roads.”
Transport Disruption and Travel Advice
The impending weather is expected to significantly impact transport networks across the warned regions. Ferry operator CalMac has already announced several yellow and amber warnings, indicating a high likelihood of disruption and cancellations affecting many of its vital services. Travellers are strongly advised to check for updates before embarking on any journeys.
Scotrail, the national railway operator, has proactively encouraged all passengers to verify the status of their planned trips in advance. In a statement on the social media platform X, the company advised: “If you’re travelling tomorrow or Wednesday, please check your journey on our website, app or visit us at our journey check portal as we’re expecting snow across parts of the country. We plan to run a full service but some disruption is possible.” This underscores the importance of staying informed as the situation develops.
Residents and travellers in the affected areas should remain vigilant, monitor official updates from the Met Office, Sepa, and transport providers, and prepare for potential delays and hazardous travel conditions over the coming days.
