Hundreds of schools have closed and flights have been cancelled across the UK as widespread snow and ice cause significant travel disruption. Amber weather warnings for snow remain in place for parts of Scotland, with yellow warnings covering much of the rest of the UK.
In Scotland, schools in Shetland, Orkney, the Western Isles, Aberdeenshire and Moray were closed on Monday. The Met Office reported snow depths of 34cm at Loch Glascarnoch in the Highlands, with 27cm recorded at Dyce in Aberdeenshire and Altnaharra in Sutherland. Up to 30cm more snow could settle on higher ground, potentially cutting off rural communities.
Transport across Scotland is severely affected, with Network Rail Scotland warning that heavy snow is likely to prevent trains on several routes until at least midday. Loganair cancelled flights from Aberdeen and Inverness, while Liverpool John Lennon Airport closed its runway due to wintry conditions. Eurostar advised passengers travelling between London and the Netherlands to postpone journeys as services beyond Brussels were cancelled.
In Northern Ireland, 186 schools closed, affecting thousands of pupils. Philip McCullagh, principal of St Patrick’s and St Brigid’s College in Claudy, said conditions were “as bad as I’ve seen it”. Several flights were cancelled at Belfast City and Belfast International airports, and Translink warned of delays to bus routes. The Police Service of Northern Ireland urged motorists to clear ice and snow from windscreens and drive with extra care.
Yellow weather warnings for ice and snow have been issued across all counties in Ireland, with Met Éireann warning of “treacherous travel conditions”. The UK Health Security Agency has issued amber cold weather warnings for all areas in England until Friday morning.
Scottish transport secretary Fiona Hyslop thanked frontline staff and advised drivers to ensure vehicles are winter-ready and to delay journeys if possible. The RAC urged drivers to only make essential trips and to take extreme care on ungritted roads.
