Now get ready for minus 8c weekend whiteout
WINTER arrives in earnest for much of Scotland this weekend, with a sub-zero cold snap that will send temperatures plummeting as low as -8c.
Forecasters have issued yellow ‘be prepared’ weather warnings for ice and snow, cautioning Scots to be aware of treacherous conditions for almost the entire country today.
The Met Office is advising people to be prepared for some difficult driving conditions and the risk of disruption to travel.
Forecasters are predicting snowfall of up to 8cm (3in) on lower ground in some areas with as much as 10cm (4in) on higher ground as we head into the weekend.
A spokesman for the Met Office said: ‘It’s going to feel much, much colder than it has been and the cold weather that people have experienced so far is going to deepen as we get into the weekend.’
Public health officials have also called for people to pay special attention to conditions vulnerable to changes in the temperature.
Andrew Proctor, director of advice and support at Asthma UK, said: ‘With very cold weather expected across much of the UK this weekend, people with asthma need to take extra care.’
Householders in the Borders woke up to see snow yesterday morning, but the weather has not led to the levels of disruption authorities had feared, with Scottish Borders Council opening its emergency planning centre in preparation.
Jim Fraser, Scottish Borders Council’s emergency planning officer, said: ‘We take decisions based on the very latest information from the Met Office and the associated advice from Police Scotland.
‘The forecast on Wednesday afternoon presented a clear and substantial risk to all school transport routes, hence the decision to cancel these as early as possible, giving parents the greatest time to make any necessary alternative arrangements.’
Police Scotland said that officers had received a number of reports of weather related roads incidents across the north east of the country on Wednesday night and Thursday morning and advised motorists to take care.
Inspector Jon Barron said: ‘Emergency services have responded to a number of collisions.
‘While inquiries into the circumstances are ongoing I would like to urge motorists to be aware of road conditions in cold weather.’