SCOTLAND will face at least another day of snow, ice and windy weather after yesterday’s wintry blast brought chaos to transport across the country.
Overnight ice and snow was predicted to make travel even more dangerous today. The Met Office has issued several yellow ‘Be Aware’ warnings covering much of Scotland with up to 20cm of snow anticipated in some areas of higher ground.
Hail and lightning may accompany heavier showers, with potential disruption to power supplies, and drifting snow is expected to be a hazard on upland routes in particular.
The north-east of the country is expected to be particularly badly affected today with high winds and blizzard conditions likely.
More than 20 schools were closed across the country yesterday with other pupils being sent home early.
Airlines cancelled flights in and out of Heathrow and London City which involved Scottish travellers. The weather badly affected ferry services, with Caledonian MacBrayne warning of “heavy disruptions” continuing.
Transport Minister Humza Yousaf again called for intending travellers to check with bus, rail and ferry companies beforehand. He said extra gritters were trying to keep roads open.
Jim Fraser, Scottish Borders Council’s emergency planning officer, said: “Due to the combination of low temperatures and melting snow, we anticipate that travel conditions on Friday morning will be very difficult, especially on untreated surfaces.
“Our staff will be out from 3.30pm today, with additional resources on throughout the night, to grit routes, and staff will also be deployed from 6am to treat the priority footpath network in addition to roads.”
Yesterday saw the Central Belt motorway network badly affected. The M74 was closed and traffic diverted after an accident at Lesmahagow, as was the northbound carriageway of the M90 at Bannockburn.
The A90 was twice blocked by jack-knifed lorries, while the snow gates were closed on the A939 Cock Bridge to Tomintoul road.
One famous Scot caught up in the chaos was Sir Chris Hoy. A Dumfries and Galloway Council gritter driver stopped to help out the Olympian after his car got stuck in a snow bank on the A701 north of Moffat.
Stevie Fallon gave Hoy a lift in his gritter back to Moffat where they were able to arrange recovery of the vehicle.
Hoy tweeted: “Thanks 2 the kind gent who towed my car out of a snow bank today after I hit black ice.Thankfully no harm to me or car but be careful folks!”
A Dumfries and Galloway Council statement said: “We believe all our gritter drivers are heroes, out in all conditions, day and night.
“We are pleased to hear that in this case Steven went beyond his usual duties and picked up Sir Chris Hoy and took him back to Moffat to arrange recovery of his vehicle.
“Due to insurance regulations we could not assist with the recovery of Sir Chris’s vehicle ourselves, but we wish him well and a safe journey.”
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