The Scottish Government has activated its top-level emergency response team as the country faces what officials describe as a "multi-hazard" weekend of severe weather. The Scottish Government Resilience Room (SGoRR) met on Saturday, 10 January 2026, following a series of escalating warnings from the Met Office.
Complex and Challenging Conditions Forecast
Chaired by Justice and Home Affairs Secretary Angela Constance and attended by First Minister John Swinney, the meeting included key agencies like the Met Office, Sepa, Police Scotland, and local authorities. The group was briefed on a complicated weather event set to unfold from the early hours of Sunday through Monday.
"We are facing a complicated multi-hazard event, affecting various parts of the country in different ways and at different times," Ms Constance stated. The forecast involves a hazardous combination of continued snowfall, a rise in temperatures leading to snowmelt, and heavy rain, which together elevate the risk of flooding from Sunday afternoon.
Widespread Warnings and Expected Impact
The Met Office has issued a cascade of warnings covering much of Scotland:
- An amber warning for snow in central and north-east Scotland, active from 3am to 2pm on Sunday.
- A yellow warning for wind across much of the north and west, from 9pm Sunday until midday Monday.
- Wider yellow warnings for snow, rain, and ice remain in place across the country for the rest of the weekend into Monday.
This follows a prolonged period of wintry weather that has already caused significant disruption since the start of the year, with over 250 schools closed on Friday alone—more than 150 in Aberdeenshire.
Transport Networks Brace for Disruption
The transport sector is preparing for major impacts. ScotRail has warned that service disruptions are "likely" and that speed restrictions may lengthen journey times. Mark Ilderton, ScotRail Service Delivery Director, urged passengers to check their full journey before travelling.
Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop echoed this, encouraging people in areas under amber warnings to consider delaying journeys and working from home if possible. "The conditions will inevitably impact the transport network, so it is vital that people and communities continue to plan ahead," she said, praising frontline staff for their tireless work over the past ten challenging days.
Community Response and Ongoing Challenges
The north and north-east have borne the brunt of the recent weather, with several days of snow, ice, and sub-zero temperatures. Aberdeenshire Council declared a major incident earlier in the week, warning some rural communities could be cut off.
First Minister John Swinney travelled to Aberdeen on Friday to thank gritter operators, police, and depot staff. "It has been a really challenging period for everybody," he acknowledged. Assistant Chief Constable Alan Waddell of Police Scotland encouraged the public to check on neighbours or relatives safely where possible, as some services remain impacted.
Officials unanimously urge the public to stay informed by following the latest advice from the Met Office, Sepa, and Police Scotland online and via social media to navigate this continuing and evolving weather crisis.
