-10C start to big freeze

Ballot fears as 40 days of Arctic blast begin

SCOTS shivered in temperatures down to -10.3C yesterday – the first day of winter – with fears of another 40 days of Arctic conditions to come.

The bone-chilling low was recorded in the Highlands at Tulloch Bridge, east of Fort William, Inverness-shire.

Even Glasgow Airport experienced a bitter -9C. With more sub-zero conditions and snow forecast, there are concerns thousands of Scots could struggle to get to the polls on election day – December 12.

Lows down to -14C are predicted as a 1,100-mile wide weather front envelops the UK, threatening travel as voting begins.

Age Scotland chief executive Brian Sloan urged older people to apply for an emergency proxy vote if needed. He said: ‘Many older people, especially in remote areas, may find it difficult to get to their polling station in cold and icy weather.’

He added: ‘Older people can apply for an emergency proxy vote up to 5pm on election day if prevented from voting by unforeseen circumstances or disability.’

Yesterday, Met Officer forecaster Helen Roberts said the weekend temperatures had been ‘lower than anything seen so far at this end of the year’ with ‘still more to come’. Similar conditions were expected today in southern Scotland, with lows of -6C or -7C in the Central Belt.

She added: ‘Tuesday will turn more cloudy but there will still be good spells of brightness in the East of the country.’

The general trend later in the week will be for things to become more unsettled. She added: ‘We will see the arrival of thickening cloud on Wednesday, leading to more persistent rain.

‘From a meteorological point of view, Thursday is beginning to look quite interesting. We expect heavy periods of rain across Highland region, with the North West particularly vulnerable.

‘Estimates so far suggest 100mm [four inches] of rain here.’

Leon Brown, head of meteorological operations at the Weather

Company, gave a warning of a possible prolonged period of Arctic conditions.

He said: ‘30 to 40 days with snow or ice disruption are expected this winter in Scotland and parts of northern England.’

He predicted: ‘After cold spells in December, more sustained cold is expected during January and February, -14C is forecast.’

Thousands of Scots could be without heating for ‘several days’ after a gas main failure.

Scottish Gas Network said about 8,000 properties in the Falkirk area are without supplies.

Yesterday, the firm’s engineers were working to fix equipment yesterday that regulates gas pressure but warned that each home would have to be visited. Elderly or sick customers and those with young children were offered electric heaters and cookers.

A spokesman said: ‘With so many homes affected, it’s likely you could be without your gas supply for several days.’