Hundreds of Scottish schools to remain closed for second day amid snow warning

Key Points

Yellow weather warning for snow covering whole country issued
All schools in Aberdeenshire to remain closed on Tuesday
Temperatures plummet to below freezing overnight
No trains running on Aberdeen, Dundee and Inverness lines
Roads deemed ‘impassable’ as police issue warning to drivers
Aberdeen Airport suspends operations until 5pm

Hundreds of schools across Scotland are to remain closed on Tuesday amid an ongoing snow weather warning.

Most areas north of the central belt were affected, with amber warnings for snow in place until 10am, and a yellow warning in place until midnight.

Roads have been deemed “impassable”, and travel disruption is expected, while snowploughs have been brought in to clear railway lines.

North East & Tayside

Police issue further travel advice amid snow and ice warnings

The Met Office issued an Amber weather warning across the north and northeast.

Further snow accumulations of 5-10 cm were predicted to fall widely, with a few places seeing 20-30 cm over mainland Scotland.

All schools in Aberdeenshire are closed due to the adverse weather, with dozens also closed in Aberdeen. In Moray, a large number of schools and nurseries are also closed.

Aberdeenshire Council has confirmed that all schools and council-run nurseries will be closed on Tuesday.

Shetland Council also confirmed on Sunday that a decision had been taken to close all schools on Monday, while a number are closed in Orkney.

Meanwhile, Aberdeen Airport suspended operations until 5pm on Monday due to deteriorating conditions.

Operations are expected to restart at 6pm after teams worked to make the area safe.

Loganair cancelled flights from Aberdeen and Inverness airports following heavy snowfall.

A yellow weather warning is in place across Scotland. ScotRail

Three further yellow warnings for snow and ice will come into force at midnight, with the central belt and southern areas affected until 11am on Tuesday and northern parts of the country until shortly before midnight.

Driving conditions could become “dangerous”, and there is a chance of injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces.

Some 32 gritters were sent out in Aberdeenshire on Sunday morning, and parts of the road network are said to be “impassable”.

Kennethmont in Aberdeenshire is said to have been hit with particularly heavy snow, according to Network Rail.

Insch Station from Snowplough. Network Rail

Moray Council has confirmed that schools and nurseries will have delayed start times on Tuesday or be closed entirely/ due to the weather.

Passengers are being advised that services on the Aberdeen – Dundee, Aberdeen – Inverness and Inverness – Wick/Thurso and Kyle of Lochalsh lines are likely to be affected.

The snow weather warning is to remain in place until Tuesday night. STV News

A spokesperson for the Highland Council said: “With strong winds and more snowfall overnight, a combination of drifting snow and freezing conditions is causing challenging conditions in some areas across the Highland Council area.

“Our roads teams are operating a full weekday gritting service today to clear snow and ice on as many routes as possible, but conditions are difficult in some areas.

Members of the public are seen at the snow gates at the A939 Cockbridge. Getty Images

“In Easter Ross, Sutherland and Caithness, many local roads are impassable and only essential travel is advised as the team, supported by local contractors, focus on clearing primary routes.”

Assistant Chief Constable Alan Waddell said: “The forecasted heavy snow showers and ice means driving conditions are likely to be hazardous in some areas. Our advice is to plan ahead and consider if your journey is really necessary during the weather warnings.

“We continue to work with partners to help our communities impacted by the adverse weather.

“If you need to travel, please drive to the conditions, be prepared for delays and allow extra time for your journey. Please don’t drive through road closures, the decision to close roads is not taken lightly and is done for public safety.”