Aberdeen and surrounding areas face severe snow disruption, with hundreds of schools closed and travel delays expected due to amber weather warnings.
Weather Disruptions Lead to School Closures Across the UK
Hundreds of schools will close today due to snow and ice disruptions. The Met Office has issued multiple weather warnings.
Temperatures are expected to stay below freezing. Many people are returning to school or work after the festive period. The forecaster warns that cold conditions will bring various hazards for the next few days.
Weather Warnings and School Closures
Amber weather warnings for snow are in effect in parts of Scotland. These warnings forecast heavy snow and travel disruptions. Yellow warnings for snow and ice cover much of the UK on Monday.
Much of Scotland is bracing for severe weather. Hundreds of schools in the northern region are partially closed today. Some students in Shetland, Orkney, the Western Isles, and Aberdeenshire will enjoy an unexpected extra day off. In Aberdeen city, schools and early education provisions will open at 11 am, and breakfast clubs will not operate. Many schools in Moray are also closed.
Travel Disruptions
Several flights have been canceled, and some train lines are affected. The amber warnings cover the Highlands, Aberdeenshire, Orkney, Shetland, and the Outer Hebrides from Sunday evening until 10 am on Monday. Up to 30 cm of snow is possible. Social media users reported 14 cm of snow in parts of Aberdeenshire on Sunday morning.
The alerts indicate a higher likelihood of severe weather impacts. These include travel delays, road and rail closures, power cuts, and risks to life and property.
Health Alerts and Safety Advice
Separate yellow warnings for snow and ice cover much of the UK. This includes Northern Ireland, Wales, much of Scotland north of Glasgow, south-west England, north-west England, the Midlands, east England, and the northeast, extending to the Scottish Borders.
The Met Office states that yellow alerts indicate likely low-level impacts, including some travel disruptions. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued an amber cold health alert. This alert warns that adverse temperatures may affect health and wellbeing in England until Tuesday.
Dr. Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at UKHSA, urged people to check on vulnerable friends, family, and neighbors. He warned that low temperatures can seriously impact health, increasing the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and chest infections, especially for those over 65 and those with pre-existing conditions.
Transportation Updates
ScotRail has warned of disruptions on routes around Aberdeen and Inverness for much of Monday. Network Rail Scotland stated that the Aberdeen-Dundee, Aberdeen-Inverness, Inverness-Wick/Thurso, and Inverness-Kyle of Lochalsh routes are unlikely to operate until midday due to heavy and drifting snow.
Loganair canceled flights from Aberdeen and Inverness airports due to heavy snowfall. Liverpool John Lennon Airport announced on X at 8 am that the runway was closed due to wintry conditions, leading to delays and cancellations.
Police have issued travel advice following the amber weather warning for snow in north and northeast Scotland. Assistant Chief Constable Alan Waddell advised that heavy snow and ice could make driving hazardous. He urged people to plan ahead and consider if their journey is necessary during the weather warnings. If travel is needed, drivers should adjust to conditions and allow extra time for their journeys.
| Location | Weather Warning | School Status | Travel Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scotland | Amber for snow | Many schools closed | Flight and train cancellations |
| Aberdeen | Amber for snow | Open at 11 am | Disruptions on routes |
| Moray | Amber for snow | Schools closed | Flight cancellations |
| UK | Yellow for snow and ice | Various closures | Travel disruptions |
