Scotland is facing unnerving temperatures of minus 16C – the lowest for over a decade – and the snowy weather shows no signs of letting up. The mercury could plummet to the lowest in the UK in January for 15 years in the next two days.
The Met Office has extended an on-going weather warning for the country, which has battled heavy rain, snow, and ice since before Hogmanay. The calamitous conditions have closed schools, axed flights, and disrupted travel. Originally meant to end today (January 9), the alert is now in place until tomorrow.
Met Office Chief Meteorologist Paul Gundersen, said: “Another very cold night is expected tonight with temperatures dipping as low as -16°C where we have lying snow in Scotland and northern England. Temperatures will also be well below freezing across much of the UK so there is a continued risk of ice overnight and through Friday morning’s rush hour.
Oli Claydon, spokesman for the Met Office, told the PA news agency it will be “bitterly cold” on Thursday night, with minimum temperatures of a spine-tingling minus 16C in parts of Scotland.
Claydon said the lowest temperatures will be recorded in rural Scotland where there is lying snow, cloudless skies and very cold airflow. A temperature of minus 14C would equal the lowest seen in this month last year, recorded in Dalwhinnie in the Scottish Highlands on January 17, 2024.
But a temperature of minus 16C would be the lowest recorded in January in the UK for 15 years, since minus 22.3C was logged in Altnaharra in the Highlands on January 8, 2010, according to Met Office data.
The latest yellow weather warning came into force at 12pm on Wednesday, January 8 and will now end at 10am on Friday, January 9 – meaning a whopping three days of Scots taking caution against the elements.
“Sleet and snow showers will continue for the rest of Thursday, dying out by across northwest Scotland overnight but persisting across northeast Scotland until Friday morning,” the Met Office said.
Up to 4 cm of snow are expected on low levels away from coasts, while 5-10cm is possible on ground above 150 metres. Travel disruption to road and rail services are likely on Thursday in the warning areas, as well as the potential for accidents in icy places. Motorists are urged to stick to major roads that are most likely to have been gritted.
It comes as the mercury plummeted to minus 12C at Tulloch Bridge on Wednesday night. Scotrail advised taking extra care as some platforms and pathways are slippery in light of the dip. Staff will be out and about where the coldest weather is forecast to ensure stations are salted and safe, a spokesperson assured.
Elsewhere, car insurer RAC said it has seen the highest levels of demand for rescues in a three-day period since December 2022.
“Cold conditions will last until at least the weekend, so we urge drivers to remain vigilant of the risks posed by ice and, in some locations, snow,” said RAC breakdown spokeswoman Alice Simpson.
“Black ice on rural roads can be impossible to spot, leaving very little time to react if driving at speed. Sticking to major roads that are most likely to have been gritted is strongly recommended.”
Regions and local authorities affected
Grampian
- Aberdeen
- Aberdeenshire
- Moray
Highlands & Eilean Siar
- Na h-Eileanan Siar
- Highland
Orkney & Shetland
- Orkney Islands
- Shetland Islands
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