Scotland is no stranger to severe weather. But we know it can be worse in winter.
We have advice on how to prepare for: – Snow and ice – Rain and flooding – Storms
Know how to stay safe:
Ready Scotland: Prepared for Winter?
Tag: snow
ROSPA: Drive with added caution amid looming cold weather
- The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents has issued urgent guidance to those travelling in cold and snowy weather
- Disruptive conditions are set to hit many areas of the UK
- Road experts warn of increased chance of collisions
With icy temperatures and ‘disruptive’ snow hitting large parts of Britain, and parts of the UK still grappling with flooding, leading road experts The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) has issued some vital road safety advice.
Advising on winter driving, Rebecca Guy, RoSPA’s Road Safety Manager for England, said: “Snowy conditions can pose a real challenge for drivers so it’s worth knowing how to prepare yourself so your journey can be as smooth as possible.
“Before you set off, check the weather conditions to ensure you’re not caught out, and don’t forget to wipe off snow from the top and windows of your car. This will avoid snow falling onto your windscreen while driving and impacting your line of sight. In very bad conditions, avoid driving completely, unless you absolutely have to make the journey and driving is the only option.
“It’s also a good idea to leave more time than usual for your journey, and to check your tyres, fluid levels, lights and fuel or charge levels before you set off. If your journey is essential, packing some warm clothing, a fully charged mobile phone, some food and a drink can help you to be prepared if you do break down – and even a pair of sunglasses can stand you in good stead in case the sun comes out and reflects on the road ahead.
“If you can, try and move off in second gear and change to a higher gear as soon as possible once the car is moving. Ensure you accelerate gently and smoothly, using low revs. Ideally, stay in a steady gear and leave as much room in front of you as possible so you can maintain a constant speed – and don’t forget that stopping distance can be increased up to 10 times in snowy weather.”
Other factors to consider if driving in snow or ice:
- Slow down in plenty of time before bends and corners
- Braking on an icy or snow-covered bend is extremely dangerous. The centrifugal force will continue to pull you outwards and the wheels will not grip very well. This could cause your vehicle to spin
- Increase the gap between you and the vehicle in front. You may need up to 10 times the distance for braking in good conditions
- Visibility will probably be reduced, so use dipped headlights
If you get stuck in snow:
- If you get stuck in snow, revving your engine to try to power out of the rut will just make the rut worse. Instead, move your vehicle slowly backwards and forwards out of the rut using the highest gear you can
- If this doesn’t work, you may have to ask a friendly passerby for a push or get your shovel out.
Rebecca went on to advise those encountering flood water: “The past few weeks have seen a concerning level of flooding in many areas of the UK. It is essential to have the latest information at hand to avoid roads or pathways that are submerged in water.
“Not only can a flooded car be costly, it can lead to drowning so it is important to never attempt to drive through a waterlogged area, especially If the road has been closed off.
“Before leaving the house, consider whether your vehicle really is in a roadworthy condition for extreme weather, and check its tyres, brakes, lights and fluid levels.
“If your vehicle is not in tip-top condition, you are more likely to break down and get stranded. Therefore, keep an emergency kit in your car, especially if you’re going on a long journey. If this seems unnecessary, take a moment to imagine yourself stranded in your car overnight. ”
If you’re in a flooded area, it is also worth considering the following when nearing an affected road:
- Avoid the deepest water – which is usually near the kerb
- Don’t attempt to cross if the water seems too deep
- If you are not sure of the water’s depth, look for an alternative route
- If you decide to risk it, drive slowly in first gear but keep the engine speed high by slipping the clutch – this will stop you from stalling
- Be aware of the bow wave from approaching vehicles – operate an informal ‘give way’ with approaching vehicles.
For more information, please visit our Winter Driving Tips page here.
Scotland’s secret snowy peaks are waiting to be discovered this New Year
While Europe’s ski resorts remain snowless, Scotland provides plentiful icy white peaks
Snowy peaks await in Scotland this new year with small-group tour specialist Rabbie’s (www.rabbies.com). Snow is in rare supply across Europe, but on the stunning peaks across Scotland’s iconic mountain ranges, the white stuff is in good supply!
Europe’s snowless ski resorts have hit the headlines in recent weeks, but unbeknownst to many, snow can be found closer to home. Scotland enjoys the most snow in the UK and the nation’s mountain ranges are seasonally coated in snow, with the nation’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis, covered all year round. Scotland’s secret snowy peaks are waiting to be discovered this year with Rabbie’s.
Highlights include:
2-day Loch Ness, Inverness & the Highlands Tour
On this 2-day tour, visitors will wander through the valleys and spy the icy heights of Scotland’s most beautiful mountain passages.
The majestic mountains at the wild heart of the Highlands are synonymous with Scotland and visitors will witness this wild beauty at Cairngorms National Park – here, snow-covered mountain tops await. After, warm up with a strong brew, or an even stronger whisky while exploring the streets of the Capital of the Highlands, Inverness.
Join Rabbie’s Two-Day Loch Ness, Inverness & the Highlands tour departing from Edinburgh from £115 per person.
3-day The Isle of Skye Tour
On this 3-day tour, visitors will visit Scotland’s most beautiful sights, oldest castles, and most iconic island.
The spectacular views of Rannoch Moor, Glencoe and Ben Nevis are the perfect introduction to this unforgettable tour, and this is all before the majestic Eilean Donan Castle.
You’ll also have the chance to explore the stunning Isle of Skye; the wonders of the Old Man of Storr and the pass of the Quiraing which come alive during winter, when Scotland’s mist and colder weather bring the myths and legends alive.
Join Rabbie’s Three-Day The Isle of Skye Tour from Edinburgh from £199 per person.
4-day Isle of Skye & West Highlands
On this 4-day tour, visitors will venture into a rich land of mountains, lochs, and legends. Learn the fascinating myths and tragic bloody past at Glencoe before admiring the impressive Glenfinnan viaduct, the famed route of the Hogwart’s Express.
During January, the snow-capped Cullin Mountains of Elgol are bound to take your breath away. Take in the beauty of Skye before visiting the famous stronghold, Eilean Donan castle.
Join Rabbie’s Four-Day 4-day Isle of Skye & West Highlands from £259 per person.
For more information about Rabbie’s and its tour offerings, visit www.rabbies.com.
Yellow weather warning for snow as wintry showers continue
Travel conditions remain tricky today and weather forecasters advise only essential travel.
There will be occasional snow showers in the east. Edinburgh, Lothians and Borders seeing sunshine and a few snow showers, these becoming less widespread this afternoon. It will be very cold, maximum temperature 1 °C.
Tonight: Many places will have a dry, clear and very cold night. Still a chance of an isolated snow shower across the east. Widespread severe or very severe frost. Minimum temperature -10 °C.
Edinburgh Tram services are currently suspended due to weather conditions.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1359395706717540353
Disrupted Bus Services
LOTHIAN BUSES report that due to adverse weather buses are unable to serve Picardy Place and Leith Street and are instead diverted via London Road, Regent Road and Waterloo Place southbound only until further notice.
Car Won’t Start?
The RAC estimate that 28% of breakdown issues are battery-related, so it is best to keep it regularly maintained, charged and in good health.
You can find out how to do this and how to identify the signs that your battery might need changing on the RAC’s what to do if your car won’t start in the cold page.
How can I demist my windscreen quickly?
This is one of the handiest pieces of advice at your disposal when the cold weather begins to creep in.
After all it is illegal to drive if your visibility is impeded and steamed up windows are the biggest culprit of this. Did you know that more often than not you will actually clear your windscreen faster using cold air than hot air?
Read more on the RAC’s how to demist your windscreen in double-quick time page.
Amber weather warning for snow
The transport network is expected to face a further period of disruption following an upgraded amber warning for snow in central Scotland.
The Met Office has issued an upgraded amber warning for parts of Central, Tayside and Fife, as well as West Lothian, East and West Dunbartonshire, and North Lanarkshire. It runs from 3am on Tuesday morning until 9pm tonight.
A yellow warning for snow remains in place for parts of central and eastern Scotland until midnight on Wednesday.
The current COVID restrictions mean that people should not be making journeys unless they are for an essential purpose.
Potential impacts of the amber warning include long delays and cancellations on bus and rail travel. Roads may be affected by deep snow, particularly over higher routes, and some rural communities might be cut off. Interruptions to power supplies and telephone networks could also occur.
Our operating companies are continuing to closely monitor the trunk road network, pre-deploying resources and carrying out dedicated patrols and treatments, as well as providing assistance to motorists where necessary.
Specialist snow plans have been activated for key routes, such as the M8 and M80, and the Multi Agency Response Team will be operational throughout the warning period.
Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity Michael Matheson said: “We’re being warned that parts of Scotland are expected to face another period of challenging weather, with the Met Office issuing an amber snow warning for Tuesday.
“The current COVID restrictions mean you should only be leaving your home for an essential purpose, so please consider if your journey is absolutely necessary before setting off. The forecast conditions will likely cause difficult driving conditions and disruption to the wider transport network.
“If you do have to make an essential journey, then the advice remains the same as it has throughout this winter – plan your route in advance, drive to the conditions and follow Police Scotland travel advice. There may be disruption on other modes of transport, so you should check with your operators before setting off.
“Motorists can check with Traffic Scotland to make sure that their route is available. The Traffic Scotland mobile website – my.trafficscotland.org – lets people get the latest information on the move and the Traffic Scotland twitter page is also updated regularly.”
Chief Superintendent Louise Blakelock said: “Government restrictions on only travelling if your journey is essential remains in place and so with an Amber warning for snow, please consider if your journey really is essential and whether you can delay it until the weather improves.
“If you deem your journey really is essential, plan ahead and make sure you and your vehicle are suitably prepared by having sufficient fuel and supplies such as warm clothing, food, water and charge in your mobile phone in the event you require assistance.
“The Met Office, Traffic Scotland and SEPA websites and social media channels have valuable information about weather disruptions and we would encourage people to check these sites before setting off on their journey.”
Yellow Warning: There could be snow
YELLOW WEATHER WARNING: SNOW
The forecast for the coming week remains unsettled with rain and snow on Monday followed by a colder, showery spell mid-week.
A renewed spell of rain and strong winds may then affect some southern areas later this week.
A range of severe weather warnings for rain, and snow & ice are in place for Monday. An area of low pressure on Monday provides a continuation of the extremely unsettled period the UK has endured.
The expected wind impacts from this system have reduced as it moves towards the UK, and Met Office wind warnings for this system have now been stood down. However, the main risk now are wintry conditions across the northern half of Britain and Northern Ireland as this system moves north-east into an area of relatively cold air.
Dan Suri, a chief forecaster at the Met Office, said: “This low-pressure system will bring a lot of moisture into contact with the relatively cold air across the northern half of the UK.
This brings wintry conditions to an extending from East Yorkshire to North Lancashire across into Northern Ireland and northwards Scotland. For some, snowfall could coincide with the Monday rush hour, bringing additional complications.”
The bulk of snow accumulations in northern England are expected to occur at locations above 200 metres in elevation, but it’s likely that some sites lower than this could witness transient flurries before these turn to rain.
The snowfall in Scotland is expected to be heavier with accumulations of 2 to 5cm above 100 to 200 metres; sites above 300 metres may witness accumulations of 10 to 20 cm, most likely north of the Central Belt.
Urban areas on the immediate east coast of northern England and eastern Scotland may miss the snow though.
Beyond Monday there are currently no warnings scheduled but showers, some wintry, could place an additional burden on some river catchments: the public should check flood risk and stay up to date with flood warnings from Natural Resources Wales, SEPA, NI Direct and the Environment Agency.
You can get the most accurate and up to date forecast for your area using our forecast pages and by following us on Twitter and Facebook, as well as using our mobile app which is available for iPhone from the App store and for Android from the Google Play store.
Met Office weather warning remains in place
YELLOW WARNING – Wind and Snow
Queensferry Crossing remains CLOSED
Headline:
Windy and feeling bitterly cold. Showers of rain, sleet, snow.
Today:
Frequent showers of rain, sleet, snow, carried on strong to gale westerly winds, making for a bitterly cold day. Snow accumulating away from lowest levels, with drifting adding to potentially hazardous travel conditions, also wet snow sporadically reaching sea level. Maximum temperature 4 °C.
Tonight:
More of the same with wintry showers and strong to gale westerly winds. However showers tending to ease a touch from the south towards dawn. Minimum temperature -1 °C.
Fifty years of winter: who feels the deepest chill?
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Scotland East takes the coldest and frostiest crown with an average winter temperature of 2.3 degrees and 44 days of frost – 18 days more than the least frosty region England South West / Wales South.
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Scotland North has the most rain, seeing over 8 weeks of rainy days during winter. That’s 25 days more than the driest region East Anglia which only suffers a month’s worth of rainy days.
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England South East/Central sees the most winter sun with a total of 180 hours of clear sunshine during December, January and February. That’s 77 hours more than the darkest region Scotland North which sees an average of 103 hours of cloudless sunshine, almost an hour less sunshine a day.
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England and Wales see 45 hours more clear sunshine during winter than Scotland, and 24 hours more than Northern Ireland.
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When compared to England and Wales, Scotland has 9 more days of frost, 12 more days of rain and is 1.4 degrees colder on average during winter.
There’s nothing more British than a conversation about the weather, and with winter well and truly here it’s often a moan. Whether it’s too cold, too dark or even too warm to snow, it seems we’re never quite happy with what’s going on outside. Some of us, however, have more reason to complain than others … particularly if you live in Scotland! Continue reading Fifty years of winter: who feels the deepest chill?
Warning for residents as snow hits Edinburgh
With temperatures across the Lothians plummeting and snow expected across Edinburgh, Scottish Gas is forecasting an increase in calls to its customer services team next week – and is urging residents to take action. Continue reading Warning for residents as snow hits Edinburgh