Police Travel Advice issued in advance of Storm Isha

The Met Office has issued an Amber weather warning for wind. As such, there may be a high risk of disruption for road users in the following areas:

Central, Tayside and Fife

• Clackmannanshire
• Falkirk
• Fife
• Stirling

South West Scotland, Lothian Borders

• Dumfries and Galloway
• East Lothian
• Midlothian Council
• Scottish Borders
• West Lothian

Strathclyde

• Argyll and Bute
• East Ayrshire
• East Dunbartonshire
• East Renfrewshire
• Glasgow
• Inverclyde
• North Ayrshire
• North Lanarkshire
• Renfrewshire
• South Ayrshire
• South Lanarkshire
• West Dunbartonshire

The Amber warning is effective from 1800 hrs Sunday 21st January to 0900 hrs Monday 22nd January.

The Met Office has also issued a yellow weather warning for rain. Combined with the win there may be a high risk of disruption for road users in the following areas

Central, Tayside & Fife

• Angus
• Clackmannanshire
• Dundee
• Fife
• Stirling

Perth and Kinross

• Grampian
• Aberdeenshire
• Moray

Highlands & Eilean Siar

• Highland

South West Scotland, Lothian Borders

• Dumfries and Galloway
• Scottish Borders
• Strathclyde
• Argyll and Bute
• East Ayrshire
• East Dunbartonshire
• Inverclyde
• North Lanarkshire
• Renfrewshire
• South Lanarkshire
• West Dunbartonshire

The yellow warning is effective from 1200 hrs Sunday 21st January to 0600 hrs Monday 22nd January.

General advice for road users:

• Plan ahead and avoid unnecessary travel
• All road users should consider if they really need to travel during adverse weather
• Consider delaying travel until conditions improve
• If you are travelling on the roads, prepare yourself and your vehicle for the conditions
• Ensure your mobile phone is charged and plan your journey, including an alternative route
• Have sufficient fuel, warm clothing, food and water in case you’re delayed
• Do not ignore road closure signs – they are for your safety
• Congestion caused by vehicles may restrict emergency services and recovery vehicles from providing essential assistance
• Listen to media broadcasts, including radio, for updates Traffic Scotland radio player | Traffic Scotland or visit Traffic Scotland | Trunk road traffic updates & route planner
• Follow your local authority for the latest updates in your area via Facebook, Twitter or their website
• Other information can be found on the Met Office, Ready Scot.  For public transport information visit www.travelinescotland.
• Follow @policescotland and @trafficscotland on Twitter for up-to-date travel information.

Wind:

HGV and bus drivers should drive with extreme caution and be aware you may be asked to park at a suitable position by the police.

Drivers of vehicles vulnerable to being blown over should plan their route to avoid exposed areas or consider cancelling your journey until conditions improve.

Cyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians should consider the risk of being blown over or into the path of other road users.

Rain:

Drive to the conditions. Spray can reduce driver visibility.

Be aware of increased stopping distances. In wet weather, stopping distances will be at least double those required for stopping on dry roads.

Driving through areas of flooding can result in catastrophic damage to your vehicle. It may also result in the road becoming blocked with recovery required and may delay emergency services and road maintenance workers.