STORM No3 ON THE WAY
As Scotland counts cost of Dudley & Eunice, Met Office warns of Franklin bringing more misery tomorrow
PARTS of Scotland were brought to a halt by Storm Eunice yesterday – and forecasters warned of a third severe storm on the way tomorrow.
Motorists became stranded in the south and north yesterday after heavy snow swept in overnight.
But having weathered Eunice and Wednesday’s storm Dudley, the country was advised to brace for Franklin.
The Met Office issued warnings of more treacherous conditions across Scotland from this morning until Monday afternoon.
Ice and winds of up to 80mph are forecast for a stormy weekend, similar to the last one of January when Storms Malik and Corrie roared in at 92mph.
This morning, the danger comes from overnight showers freezing on roads and pavements as temperatures plunge.
A yellow warning is in place until 9am for all but the far east coast, including heavy snowfall, with 10-15cm on the mountains.
Scottish Mountain Rescue said there was increased risk of avalanche.
At noon tomorrow, another yellow warning kicks in for much of the country, when strong winds and wintry showers pile in from the Atlantic. The Met Office says these events – which could result in Storm Franklin being declared – carry a “danger to life” from tiles being ripped off roofs and beach material tossed around in the gales.
The warning states: “Winds could gust to 50-60mph inland and between 70-80 mph for a time on the mountains and exposed coasts, with large waves expected as well.
“The strong winds will be accompanied by heavy, frequent and increasingly wintry showers with blizzard conditions expected in the mountains, before conditions ease later on Monday.”
The warning period lasts 24 hours, expiring at noon on Monday. It includes all of Scotland apart from the north east and far north.
Storm Eunice arrived in the early hours of yesterday, with snow trapping some drivers in their vehicles on the A68 at Soutra Hill in the Borders.
By mid-morning, police reported similar conditions on the A96 between Blackburn and Aberdeen, with many vehicles struggling to negotiate the Tyrebagger.
Officers renewed their appeal for people not to travel.
Stranded cars blocked the A944 and A90 and snow gates were shut at Braemar, Glenshee, Cairn O’Mount
and Cock Bridge. In the west, the A813 main road from Bonhill Bridge to Lomondgate in West Dunbartonshire was closed due to ice.
Almost 150 schools were shut across Angus, Aberdeenshire, Moray and Highland.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency had four flood alerts and 10 more serious flood warnings in place, mainly for the south-west of the country.
Gales and high tides forced CalMac to cancel ferries between Oban, Coll and Tiree and Ardrossan to Brodick.
Many train services were maintained as Network Rail said it had five locomotives fitted with snow ploughs and staff spraying de-icer on points at key junctions.
Specialist snow clearing vehicles were helping the regular ploughs keep the A9 clear between Inverness and Aviemore.
Extreme weather in the south of the UK forced the cancellation of some flights to and from
Scotland. Services between Glasgow, Edinburgh and Amsterdam were also cancelled.
Tonight, the A83 will remain closed at the Rest and Be Thankful in Argyll over fears of a landslide. The Old Military Road will be used as a detour and BEAR Scotland said it may be Monday before the road can reopen.