Scotland has seen its first snowfall of the winter as temperatures dropped sharply across the north of the country. Areas in the Highlands, Western Isles, Aberdeenshire, and Northern Isles have been worst affected, with the Met Office cautioning that challenging conditions are likely to persist into Wednesday morning.
A yellow weather warning is in effect until 10am on November 20, with forecasters predicting increasingly heavy wintry showers throughout Tuesday. Snowfall of 2-5cm is expected widely, even at lower elevations, while areas above 300m could see up to 20cm.
The drop in temperature also raises concerns about icy conditions, with sleet expected along coastal areas. While most snow fell on higher ground on Monday, Lerwick in Shetland recorded 2cm, and snowfall is anticipated to extend to lower levels throughout Tuesday.
The yellow alert encompasses Shetland, Orkney, the Highlands, Western Isles, Moray, Aberdeenshire, Aberdeen, Angus, and Perth and Kinross. Officials have warned of potential disruptions, including hazardous travel conditions and the possibility of some rural communities being cut off. Power outages and slips on icy surfaces are also possible, alongside travel delays.
For some Scottish school pupils, however, the cold snap might bring the welcome prospect of a snow day. A number of schools have been forced to close or delay opening due to the wintry weather, reports the Scottish Daily Express. These closures include:
Aberdeenshire
- Kininmonth
- Peterhead Academy (opening delayed)
- Slains (opening delayed)
- Uryside (opening delayed)
Highland
-
Achiltibuie Primary
-
Achiltibuie Primary Nursery
-
Lochinver Early Learning and Childcare
-
Lochinver Primary (partially closed, opening one hour later)
Shetland
- AITH Junior High School
- Happyhansel Primary
-
North Roe Primary
- Whiteness Primary
- Tingwall Primary
Angus, Perth and Kinross, Orkney, the Western Isles and Moray, and Aberdeen do not have any school closures listed on their website but parents should check social media and the council websites for more information.
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