The Beast: Just when you thought it was safe...
More snow and ice could be on the way and the thaw’s set to bring f loods
SCOTLAND is to remain in winter’s icy grip for a few more days – even though forecasters believe the worst of the weather has passed.
Weathermen last night warned there is more snow on the way and prolonged freezing temperatures, but offered reassurances that the ferocity of the Beast from the East that brought the country to a standstill last week was spent.
Yesterday Scotland began to return to normality after heavy snowfall led to days of widespread disruption and effectively paralysed swathes of the country.
Legions of Scots took to the streets for a massive clean-up and there was even time for fun as hundreds joined in a giant snowball fight in Edinburgh.
But any hopes of warm spring-like weather are still on hold. Yellow warnings for snow and ice are in place until midnight tomorrow for Central, Tayside, Fife, Grampian, Highlands and Islands, Orkney and Shetland, South-West Scotland, Lothian and Borders and Strathclyde.
Paul Mott, a meteorologist at Meteogroup, said: ‘Temperatures won’t feel anywhere near as bad as they have done but there is a risk of local flooding through the week, with snow melting and further rainfall.’
Charlie Powell of the Met Office added: ‘Next week, we will still have cold air but weather fronts are trying to move in.
“When those two collide, the result will throw up rain and sleet for Tuesday and Wednesday rather than the pure snow we have seen.
‘The long-range forecast to the middle of March suggest things will remain cold and unsettled.’
Yesterday, transport was still suffering disruption. High winds causing snow to drift onto tracks halted many train services and also affected a number of CalMac West Coast ferries.
Glasgow and Edinburgh airports began to return to normal but there were delays and cancellations to flights.
Parents and teachers yesterday grouped together to clear snow from schools in an effort to ensure children can return to classes tomorrow.
Kinnaird Primary School in Larbert, Stirlingshire, called on volunteers to help clear the school grounds, with about 100 people turning up.
Deputy headteacher Laura Swan said: ‘There has been a good community spirit.
‘I think there’s an element of parents being desperate to get the kids back out of the house but it’s also the reality that the school wouldn’t be able to open without this.’
After widespread closures last week, parents were advised yesterday to check council websites to see if schools will be reopening tomorrow.
The severe weather caused problems for households across the country. An elderly couple in their seventies and their two dogs had to be dug out of their house near West Linton, Peeblesshire, by police and mountain rescuers after becoming trapped by 12ft snowdrifts which stopped access to their coal shed. In Stirling, Angela and Cameron Watt got married in a car park by the castle after being unable to reach their intended wedding venue at Rowardennan on Loch Lomond. After Mr Watt kissed his bride, the ceremony was sealed with a snowball fight.
Yesterday the Scottish Government announced extra cash would be made available through the Bellwin scheme to help councils cope with the effects of the storm.
Finance Secretary Derek Mackay said: ‘We are committed to helping our communities remain resilient and this support will help local councils deal with any immediate and unforeseen costs.
‘Although we expect to have seen the worst of the severe weather, we are aware there remains a flooding risk in areas as the snow melts.’
After days of empty shelves and panic-buying, many shops yesterday saw fresh supplies delivered, although shoppers were still asked to be ‘sensible’ when buying food.
As Scotland returns to work tomorrow, public services including the courts and the NHS face a backlog from last week, when four sheriff courts were closed and 15 provided a reduced service, while many appointments in clinics and hospitals had to be postponed.
Although many health boards were unable to quantify the scale of the problems caused by the weather, NHS Lanarkshire confirmed it had cancelled some outpatient appointments and elective operations, while 40 operations were cancelled at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness.