Scotland braces for a wintry end to Easter
Skiers enjoy excellent snow conditions at the Cairngorm resort near Aviemore. Forecasters have warned the country to expect blasts of heavy snow, sleet and rain as Easter draws to a close.
Many Scots are bracing for a bleak end to their Easter break with blasts of heavy snow, sleet and rain forecast for today’s bank holiday.
The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for snow for Lothian and Borders, Strathclyde, south-west Scotland, Grampian, Tayside and Fife, central Scotland and the Highlands and Eilean Siar, running until 11:59 tonight.
A further yellow warning for snow is also in place from early tomorrow morning to 3pm, covering much of the Central Belt and central Scotland, as well as the country’s north and north-east.
The worst hit area is predicted to be the Scottish Borders where some rural communities could be cut off with “significant accumulations” and up to 10cm of snow forecast.
Sleet and snow will mostly be confined to the hills above 300 metres in the Central Belt, including the Kilpatrick Hills, the Ochils and Campsie Fells.
Forecasters said there could be delays on roads, with some stranded vehicles and disruption to rail and air travel.
A Met Office spokesman in Aberdeen said: “We’re looking at a weather front moving north throughout the day. The north of Scotland should have a mostly bright day with some well-scattered wintery showers and sleet and snow.
“The main cities – Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Dundee – will not see much snow, though there will be snow and sleet in the early morning, which will turn to rain. “The roads which could see disruption include the M74 and the high parts of the A68 at Carter Bar and Soutra Hill.”
The UK experiences an average 2.3 snow days each April, with this year’s snowfall already extending past the traditional winter months.
Scotland’s five snow sports resorts have reported booming business as a result, enjoying 132,000 “skier days” that have generated more than £13 million for the local economy by Easter.
Mark Diggins, head of The Scottish Avalanche Information Service, said the snow could last until June.
He said the Cairngorms, which last remained open for skiers until June following the severe winter of 2010, could experience a repeat performance this year.
The service has recorded 189 avalanches this winter – more than double last year’s total.
A Transport Scotland spokesman said drivers should plan journeys in advance. Those travelling in affected areas were urged to drive to the conditions.
“We have strengthened our resilience over the Easter weekend by extending winter patrols,” the spokesman said.