Travel disruptions expected as Scotland set for thundersnow

Scots have been warned to expect travel disruptions as the majority of the country is set to be hit by thundersnow.

A Met Office yellow weather warning is active from 8pm on Thursday and will be in place until 11am on Friday.

Drivers have been urged to be wary of dangerous conditions on roads with power outages also possible.

The public have also been warned over the potential for injuries if they slip and fall on icy surfaces such as pavements or roads.

Areas in the Highlands and Islands, Central, Tayside and Fife, the south-west, Glasgow, Renfrewshire and Ayrshire are all forecast to be among the worst affected areas.

Grahame Madge, spokesman at the Met Office, said: “We’ve got the weather front coming in from the west and that moisture is going to bump into the cold air and where you get that you will get snow.

“Because you have got that differential it’s possible, quite easily, for warm air at ground level when it heats up to start to rise very quickly up through the cold air and that’s what creates the potential for thunderstorms, so we are likely to see along with the other wintery showers, likely to see hail and snow.”

And police forces throughout the country have also been warning the public about the conditions.

A spokesperson for Nithsdale Police said: “Early warning of the risk of snow and ice affecting our area from midnight to 10am on Friday.

“Difficult driving conditions may be experienced. Plan ahead & leave time for your journey. Drive safely and to the conditions.”