Worst winter in decades on the way but a third of country won’t be gritted
...SO ENJOY THE AUTUMN WHILE YOU STILL CAN
SCOTLAND has been warned to brace itself for one of the harshest winters in decades, triggering travel chaos rivalling that of the ‘Big Freeze’ of 2010-11.
Temperatures as low as -21c, biting winds and up to 36 days of snow and ice have been forecast, with the bitter weather blamed on a freak drop in ocean temperature.
Last night, as it emerged a third of the country might not be gritted properly due to council cuts, there were fears Scotland could face winter lockdown once again.
People are being encouraged to ask for salt and spreading equipment in case households are cut off.
The AA has urged authorities to learn lessons from five years ago, when snow and ice brought the roads to a standstill and led to widespread fuel shortages.
Age Scotland is calling for everyone to make provisions before the cold winter hits and encouraging people to check on older relatives and neighbours. The weather warning comes after meteorologists testing ocean temperatures off the West Coast discovered they had dropped to the lowest level since records began.
This is expected to interfere with mild westerly winds and slow the Gulf Stream, leaving Scots with prolonged freezing conditions.
The US Government’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said: ‘ The area of ocean had its coldest January to August in at least 80 years of records.’
Aviemore, in Inverness- shire, is expected to bear the brunt of the snow and ice, with 30 to 36 days predicted. But other areas will also feel the chill, with 17 to 23 days of ice and snow forecast for Aberdeen and 12 to 18 for Glasgow.
Meteorologist Tyler Roys, from global forecaster AccuWeather, said: ‘Scotland is forecast a colder than normal winter.
‘We’ll see full-on cold spells across Scotland. The Atlantic is very cold off the coast of Scotland, which will cool weather systems as they move to Scotland. Cold air i s also expected from the Arctic.
‘Given recent past winters’ minimum temperatures of -8c to -21c in Scotland, lows of that level are possible this winter.’
The news comes as Highland Council, which covers a third of the land area of Scotland, prepares to implement further cuts to its road gritting policy.
Several roads will no longer be guaranteed treatment in icy conditions after £480,000 was cut from the winter maintenance budget.
Caol and Mallaig councillor Ben Thompson said 40 houses in his ward were stranded due to snow and ice last year. He added: ‘What happened last year was a smaller version of what will happen this year. Instead of being gritted by 9am the council gritter will be there “when they can” and that can take days. We can’t let things catch us out. It we don’t prepare for it we’ll end up isolating communities.
‘The council has been supplying
‘We can’t let things catch us out’
people with salt and spreading tools. There is an element of saying communities have to step forward as well.
‘If communities do want equipment from the council, they should get their names together. Winter is just round the corner. We need to get prepared now.’
In December 2010, traffic was brought to a standstill when snow blocked many Scottish roads for 48 hours.
An AA spokesman said: ‘ They found it very difficult to get fuel to petrol stations. We hope something has been learnt and we don’t get a repetition.’
A Transport Scotland spokesman said: ‘Most drivers are aware that conditions can change quickly and that they should listen to police advice and travel with caution when necessary.’
A spokesman for Age Scotland said: ‘ We would encourage everyone to ensure that they are adequately prepared for winter this year and to check in with any older relatives, neighbours or friends.’
This week, temperatures will struggle to rise very far above freezing during the day, with the first signs of frost expected.
Gritting teams will be on standby for the first time this year in several local authority areas.