Yellow warnings issued as snow and ice threaten transport and power networks across Scotland this weekend.

Scotland is preparing for significant disruption this weekend due to snow and icy conditions, with weather warnings in place. The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for various areas in Scotland, starting at 7am on Saturday and lasting until 9pm on Sunday. These conditions are expected to cause delays on the roads, and there is potential for power outages and mobile phone signal disruption.

To mitigate the impact, Traffic Scotland has announced that gritter trucks will be working around the clock to treat roads across the region. Glasgow Airport was also temporarily closed on Friday morning until the snow and ice were cleared, reopening around 11.30am.

In Shetland, efforts are underway to restore power to thousands of homes that were affected when heavy snow brought down power lines on Monday. Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) reported that by 9:30pm on Friday, approximately 700 properties remained without power.

Mark Macdonald, head of region at SSEN, reassured the public, saying: “We have made significant progress, despite continued heavy snowfall, and have been reconnecting towns and villages gradually. Our dedicated team of 150 engineers will continue working overnight and will be joined by additional crews tomorrow to ensure the power is restored as quickly as possible. We are hopeful that the majority, if not all, homes will be reconnected by Sunday, with any remaining small groups of properties restored by Monday.”

Macdonald also expressed gratitude for the support from local communities, Shetland Islands Council, and resilience partners. “We understand that being without power for an extended period can be difficult, particularly for vulnerable residents, and we are doing everything possible to assist,” he added.

SP Energy Networks also issued safety advice to customers in anticipation of snow and ice affecting power lines this weekend. The company has mobilised engineers to areas forecasted to be heavily impacted, though they caution that travel disruptions could delay repairs in certain regions. Craig Arthur, SP Distribution Director, urged customers to prepare for potential power cuts, stressing that prompt reporting of outages would help restore power more quickly.

Arthur said, “Our engineers are ready to respond, but snow and ice may damage power lines, so it’s crucial to stay prepared. If you experience a power cut, report it immediately by calling the national emergency helpline on 105.”