Snow alerts upgraded to amber as Scots warned of blizzard conditions

Michael Traill A snow plough travels round a bend on a single carriageway in the countryside, with snow swirling in the air and a thin layer lying on the ground. — A snow plough out clearing roads around Huntly in Aberdeenshire earlier

Amber snow warnings have been issued for parts of northern Scotland as the country braces for several days of wintry weather.

Parts of the north east, Highland, Perth and Kinross and Angus are expected to be blanketed with up to 20cm (7.9ins) of snow in low levels, with blizzard conditions forecast from 12:00 on Friday until 12:00 on Saturday.

Ferry services have been disrupted by high winds, and there are reports of vehicles struggling on country roads as snow starts to accumulate.

A less severe yellow warning is already in place for most areas north of Dundee throughout New Year’s Day, lasting until midnight on Sunday.

CalMac has said that services leaving Stornoway and Ullapool on Friday had been cancelled due to strong winds forecast and that other sailings were likely to be disrupted at short notice.

Choppy waters earlier at Kirkwall harbour on Orkney

Mbdge/BBC Weather Watcher Choppy water at an island harbour. A blue and white ferry is berthed amongst the spray. — Choppy waters earlier at Kirkwall harbour on Orkney

The Met Office has warned that travel delays on the roads are likely during the amber alert, and that snow could result in vehicle strandings.

It said rural communities could become cut off and that disruption to air and rail travel was likely.

There have been reports of vehicles stuck near the B974 at the Cairn o’ Mount hill in Aberdeenshire where snow gates have now been closed.

Snow gates were closed on a country road in Aberdeenshire

Aberdeen Travel A snow-covered country road lined with coniferous trees — Snow gates were closed on a country road in Aberdeenshire

Forecasters also said showers would turn increasingly to snow on Thursday, with locally gale force northerly winds setting in.

By evening accumulations are expected at low levels and the winds could lead to drifting. Lightning could be another potential hazard.

Those in affected areas have been told to expect travel delays and treacherous conditions for pedestrians, with warnings that some rural communities could be cut off over the coming days.

Two amber warnings have been issues and a wider yellow alert

Met Office A map of Scotland with much of the country covered in a yellow weather alert for snow and ice. An amber alert covers parts of Highland and the north east — Two amber warnings have been issues and a wider yellow alert

Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop said weather conditions would be challenging over the coming days and urged people to listen to police advice.

Ch Supt Scott McCarren, Police Scotland’s head of road policing, said: “Our advice is to plan ahead and consider if your journey is really necessary during the bad weather or if it can be delayed until conditions improve.

“f 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.”

Snow swirled around this garden in Abriachan village, Highland on the first day of 2026

Nessie Watcher/BBC Weather Watchers Snow falls heavily on a garden scene, lying thickly on a fence and a large bush — Snow swirled around this garden in Abriachan village, Highland on the first day of 2026

Arctic air is spreading across the UK bringing the beginning of a lengthy period of colder weather.

Amber cold health alerts from the UK’s Health Security Agency (UKHSA) cover the whole of England.

New year revellers in southern England saw temperatures below freezing around midnight and there was a widespread frost on the first morning of 2026.

Overnight lows fell to -6.2C in Bournemouth and -2.5C in Cardiff, with temperatures widely below zero elsewhere across southern England and South Wales.

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