Scotland hit with fresh Met Office ice warning for entire country as treacherous weather continues

Fionnuala Boyle
·2-min read
Scots have been warned to take care during the icy conditions
-Credit:Getty Images


Scotland has been hit with a fresh ice warning for the entire country in what continues to be a period of tumultuous weather for the nation. The elements have not let up since Christmas and Hogmanay, with heavy rain and snow and powerful winds battering most of the country.

The five-day snow forecast paints a bleak picture for Scots hoping to see the end of it. The Met Office has now issued a new ice warning covering the whole of Scotland, apart from a small corner in the Borders.

It came into effect at 4pm today, Friday, January 3, and is expected to expire at 10am tomorrow, Saturday, January 4. Deputy Chief Forecaster Dan Holley explained: "A cold northerly flow... will bring further snow showers to northern Scotland in particular. Temperatures will remain below average, with widespread frost and the risk of ice at times.

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"Some areas, especially in the north, may struggle to get above freezing for several days. It is possible further weather warnings will be issued for the start of next week, so it’s advisable to stay up to date with the forecast.”

These temperatures will fall below freezing across much of the country aon Friday night, meaning ice will form on untreated surfaces, particularly where roads and pavements remain wet from wintry showers, according to weather experts.

Scattered showers will fall as a mixture of rain, sleet and snow. A silver lining is that most areas probably won't see any fresh snow, although a slight covering is possible in places, especially over parts of northern Scotland.

The ice warning covers virtually all of Scotland
The ice warning covers virtually all of Scotland -Credit:Met Office

Forecasters have issued advice for those navigating the conditions. Folks should leave the house at least five minutes earlier than usual in case ice wreaks havoc on the roads, or causes cars or vehicles to ice over.

Not being in a rush also, crucially, reduces your risk of accidents, slips, and falls. With that in mind, if you need to make a journey on foot, try to use pavements along main roads which are likely to be less slippery.

Similarly, if cycling, try and stick to main roads which are more likely to have been treated. Drivers should check road conditions before setting off - and be prepared to change your travel plans if your route looks a bit perilous.

Regions and local authorities affected:

Central, Tayside & Fife

  • Angus

  • Clackmannanshire

  • Dundee

  • Falkirk

  • Fife

  • Perth and Kinross

  • Stirling

Grampian

  • Aberdeen

  • Aberdeenshire

  • Moray

Highlands & Eilean Siar

  • Na h-Eileanan Siar

  • Highland

Orkney & Shetland

  • Orkney Islands

  • Shetland Islands

SW Scotland, Lothian Borders

  • Dumfries and Galloway

  • East Lothian

  • Edinburgh

  • Midlothian Council

  • Scottish Borders

  • West Lothian

Strathclyde

  • Argyll and Bute

  • East Ayrshire

  • East Dunbartonshire

  • East Renfrewshire

  • Glasgow

  • Inverclyde

  • North Ayrshire

  • North Lanarkshire

  • Renfrewshire

  • South Ayrshire

  • South Lanarkshire

  • West Dunbartonshire

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