Scots are gearing up for up to 10cm of snow on New Year’s Day, with the Met Office issuing yet another yellow weather warning. The forecasters have alerts in place for different parts of the country for the final days of 2024, right up to the bells.
And now they have issued another warning for January 1 and 2, with a snow and ice alert in place from the moment it ticks over into 2025 on New Year’s Day until 9am on Thursday, January 2.
Snow and ice are expected to blanket low levels of ground across the Highlands, Moray, and Aberdeenshire as a band of rain moves south. It is expected to clear to snow showers in the afternoon, continuing until 9am on Thursday.
Around 1-3cm of snow are likely at low levels in the affected areas, with 5-10cm above 300m, leading to difficult driving conditions and some travel disruption on New Year’s Day.
Some roads and railways are likely to be impacted with longer journey times by road, bus and train services expected. Less major roads are expected to have icy patches, so drivers in rural areas should take extra care.
Those heading out and about on a Ne’erday walk should be mindful of the conditions underfoot, with injuries likely from slips and falls on tricky surfaces.
The warning has a medium likelihood and a low impact, according to the Met Office, but Tony Wisson, Deputy Chief Forecaster, warned “locally, there could be accumulations of 10-15cm of snowfall,” adding: “There could be larger amounts over the higher hills, and with associated strong winds we could see drifting snow in some parts.”
The stark notice comes after the Met Office issued a yellow alert for New Year’s Day for snow, which could wreak havoc for many homes, particularly those in rural communities, as Scots wind down after ringing in 2025.
Monday and Tuesday will see heavy rain and snow affect Scotland from the Central Belt northwards. Perthshire and the North East is expected to see snow, with strong winds potentially creating blizzard-like conditions. And gusts of up to 70mph are expected in exposed locations in Southern and Central Scotland on Hogmanay.
Regions affected by the Met Office weather warning:
Grampian
- Aberdeen
- Aberdeenshire
- Moray
Highlands & Eileanan an Iiar
- Highland
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