Snowed under
A winter wonderland, with more on the way, as Storm Christoph blows through
PARTS of Scotland were transformed into a winter wonderland yesterday as fresh snow flurries created whiteout conditions.
While the picturesque scenes made for stunning photos, forecasters warned of more to come, with up to a foot (30cm) of snow expected on higher ground last night.
Towns lying within the amber warning zone such as Lanark, Penicuik, Peebles, Biggar and Jedburgh could have up to four inches (10cm) of snow by 8am today.
Operating company BEAR South East said planned overnight works on the A68 near Lauder, Berwickshire, had been suspended due to the forecast. More than 100 gritters were out last night trying to keep major roads open.
Warnings were also issued for other parts of Scotland due to the high impact of Storm Christoph.
A wider area of southern Scotland is wrapped in a yellow ‘be aware’ warning for snow until 10am today, up the East Coast to East Lothian and extending from Dumfries and Galloway and the West Coast into South and East Ayrshire and southern Glasgow.
Some parts of the UK could see two months’ worth of average rainfall in only two-and-a-half days as Storm Christoph moves in, with England expected to bear the brunt of the wet weather.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency issued flood alerts for Edinburgh, the Lothians and the Scottish Borders.
In the North, a yellow warning is in place until lunchtime tomorrow for a large area of the Highlands, Moray and Aberdeenshire.
There it is thought winds up to 60mph could create blizzard conditions over higher ground, potentially stranding drivers.
The Met Office said some communities could be cut off and power cuts could occur. Parts of the North and North-east which do not experience heavy falls of snow have been told they can expect heavy deluges of rain.
Another warning, which incorporates Orkney, lasts until midday tomorrow, promising an inch and a half (40mm) of rain to lower levels and almost three inches (70mm) in north-east Aberdeenshire.
Craig Snell of the Met Office said: ‘Christoph will be responsible for multi-hazard events.’
Transport Secretary Michael said: ‘Please consider if your journey is necessary.’