1 day ago
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Hundreds of schools have been closed and flights cancelled in parts of the UK as weather warnings remain in force, with snow bringing disruption.
Amber weather warnings for snow are in place across parts of Scotland, forecasting heavy snowfall and significant travel disruption, while yellow warnings for snow and ice extend across much of the UK.
Schools in Shetland, Orkney, the Western Isles, Aberdeenshire and many in Moray were closed on Monday. A number of flights have been cancelled and several rail services are experiencing disruption.
Affected areas are expected to experience heavy snowfall and travel disruption, with reports of depths reaching 14cm in parts of Aberdeenshire. The Met Office has warned that rural communities could become cut off as a further 10cm of snow may accumulate in low-lying areas, with up to 20-30cm settling on higher ground.
Transport across Scotland is expected to be severely affected. Network Rail Scotland has warned that heavy and drifting snow is likely to prevent trains from running until at least midday on routes including Aberdeen-Dundee, Aberdeen-Inverness, Inverness-Wick/Thurso and Inverness-Kyle of Lochalsh.
Yellow weather warnings have been issued for parts of England and Wales, including the east coast and south-west, with much of Wales expected to experience cold and icy conditions.
The cold weather has also led to disruption at airports, with delays and cancellations due to safety concerns. Loganair cancelled flights from Aberdeen and Inverness after heavy snowfall, while Liverpool John Lennon airport said at 8am that its runway was closed due to wintry conditions and that some flights were subject to delays and cancelations.
In Northern Ireland, 186 schools have closed, affecting thousands of pupils, amid widespread travel disruption. The government website NI Direct provided a list of the affected schools.
The principal of St Patrick’s and St Brigid’s College in Claudy, County Derry, said ice, snow and weather warnings made it too risky to open on Monday. “It is very, very bad,” Philip McCullagh told BBC Radio Ulster. “It will take a long time for us to clear our site but also the footpaths as well. It’s as bad as I’ve seen it.”
Several flights were cancelled at Belfast City and Belfast international airports cancelled. Translink, which operates public transport services in Northern Ireland, warned of delays to bus routes, with some services operating on main roads only.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland advised motorists to take extra care: “Clear your windscreen of ice and snow before you set off on your journey, and remember to slow down and increase the distance between you and the vehicle ahead.”
In Ireland, yellow weather warnings for ice and snow have been issued across all counties, with Met Éireann warning of “treacherous travel conditions”.
The UK Health Security Agency has also issued amber warnings for all areas in England, which will remain in force until 10am on Friday.
The Scottish transport secretary, Fiona Hyslop, said: “We’ve already seen challenging conditions and freezing temperatures, with more snow and ice on the way for the same areas.
“For many, Monday marks a return to work from the festive break. If you have to travel then please ensure your vehicle is winter-ready and have a winter kit in your car. Follow Police Scotland travel advice. If you can delay your journey until the amber warning has expired, please do so.
“I’d also like to thank all the frontline staff such as gritter drivers, chainsaw gangs, police officers and many others who have been out working in dreadful conditions these past few days and over the next 48 hours.”
