Bus overturns amid snow and ice travel warning as temperatures plunge to -11C

A bus has overturned blocking a road in Aberdeenshire amid warnings of travel disruption across the country as temperatures plunge.

Gritters were out in force overnight amid a weather warning for snow and ice. The coldest temperature recorded overnight was -11.2C in Braemar.

We are still in autumn, as winter doesn’t officially begin until December 1. The last time temperatures were lower than -10.8C at this time of year was in 2016 – before that the previous low was 2010, according to STV weather presenter Philip Petrie.

There are two yellow weather alerts currently in place across Scotland, covering northern parts of the country and the Scottish Borders. On Tuesday evening, the Met Office issued a third snow and ice warning for western parts of the country, which comes into force from 7pm until 10am on Wednesday.

X/James MacInnes

Around 5cm to 10cm of snow is forecast to fall in northern parts of Scotland and up to 20cm in places above 300 metres.

Traffic Scotland confirmed the A952 at New Leeds in Buchan will be restricted on the road towards Longhill after a bus overturned around 7.05am on Tuesday.

There were no reported injuries to the two people onboard the Stagecoach service.

BEAR Scotland

Two people have also been taken to hospital following a crash involving three vehicles and a lorry on the A9 in Perth and Kinross.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service confirmed it was attending the collision at Ballinluig alongside Police Scotland and the Scottish Ambulance Service after 8.30am on Tuesday.

BEAR SE Trunks Road shared a road map on X showing all the roads in the southeast that had been treated overnight but warned conditions remain wintry.

The trunk road operator said: “Very cold temperatures affecting routes – all treatments completed, however we still have 13 gritters out patrolling the SE network for wintry conditions. Please drive safe.”

Temperatures in the early hours of Tuesday morning were as low as -4C in places.

Forecasters warned wintry conditions could disrupt travel routes.

Police have warned drivers to take care and clear their windscreens before setting off after the first cold snap of winter hits Scotland.

Drivers have also been urged not to leave their vehicles unattended with the engine running as this can be “a gift to car thieves”.

Police Scotland in the South Highlands warned drivers to plan ahead when travelling.

“Drivers should plan ahead and ensure you have sufficient fuel, warm clothing, food, water and a charged mobile in case of any delays,” a spokesperson said.

Last year, there was widespread theft of cars left running and unlocked to defrost.

A spokesperson for Aberdeen City Council said primary routes in the area were gritted, as were priority pavements on Union Street and nearby.

The council has also urged people to check on vulnerable neighbours as the frosty conditions continue.

Insight Philip Petrie STV weather presenter

Last night was certainly more like a night in winter as temperatures dropped across the country.

Our coldest spot last night was Braemar with a low of -11.2C in the early hours of the morning.

Tulloch Bridge in Inverness-shire dropped to -10.7C and Loch Glascarnoch recorded a low of -9.7C.

After what has been a mild November so far, this will come as a bit of a shock to the system for many of us as we adjust to the low temperatures and the chilly feeling once again.

The reason behind the sudden cold is we are stuck in a northerly airflow, so all of our air is originating from the Arctic.

So with the cold air, and the fact we are seeing some dry and clear overnight periods means temperatures are struggling to recover during the daytime, despite us seeing plenty of winter sunshine around by day.

A warning is currently in place for snow and ice covering Orkney, Shetland, the Highlands, Aberdeen, Moray, parts of the Western Isles, Angus and Perth and Kinross.

This runs until Wednesday at 10am as there is a chance of further snow accumulations, even down to some lower levels, and icy patches forming on untreated surfaces.

However it is likely the Met Office will issue further warnings for the remainder of the week once the confidence in the forecast grows.

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