Further Disruption Expected for Travelers as Snow and Ice Conditions Worsen

The Met Office has broadened its snow and ice weather warning to cover additional areas of Scotland, anticipating travel disruptions for those venturing across affected regions. Initially issued on Tuesday afternoon, the yellow warning for snow and ice was set to last until midday on Wednesday, encompassing parts of the Highlands, Western Isles, Orkney, Shetland, and central Scotland.

By Tuesday evening, the Met Office extended the alert to include Glasgow and Aberdeen, as further accumulations of snow, up to 3cm, were expected throughout the affected areas. In the north-west Highlands, snow depths could rise to 5-8cm, while icy conditions present an additional hazard for both pedestrians and drivers.

In addition to the Scottish warning, a separate yellow alert for snow has been issued for Northern Ireland, north Wales, and northern England. The warning, effective from 6am Thursday until 6am Friday, predicts up to 2cm of snow at lower levels and between 2-5cm at altitudes above 200 metres. The higher ground could see significant snowfall, with up to 25cm above 400 metres.

The Met Office has cautioned of potential power outages, travel delays, and the possibility of some rural communities becoming isolated. Snowfall may ease later in the day on Thursday, but rain or drizzle could replace it in the southern and eastern parts of the warning area.

Met Office meteorologist Liam Eslick warned that Thursday would likely see the most disruption, including possible cancellations of air and rail travel. He highlighted that the easterly winds would bring the heaviest snow to the Pennines and the northern Welsh mountains.

Looking ahead, Eslick added that a cold spell is expected as high pressure moves in over the UK, bringing cooler conditions that could persist into late February.