Key Highlights
- The Met Office has issued amber and yellow weather warnings for heavy snow and ice across the UK.
- Schools in northern Scotland will remain closed on Monday as snow continues to fall, with some areas reporting over 40cm of snow.
- Travel disruption is expected on Monday morning as people return to work and school after the Christmas break.
- A deep area of low pressure will bring strong winds and heavy rain later in the week, adding to the weather concerns.
Amber Warnings for Snow in Northern Scotland
The Met Office has issued amber warnings for more frequent heavy snow in northern parts of Scotland. These warnings came into effect on Sunday evening and are expected to last until Monday morning, creating potential travel disruptions.
Heavy Snowfall Reported
Around Moray in northern Scotland, over 40cm of snow has already been reported, with strong winds causing drifting. Network Rail Scotland has reported drifts up to 1.2m (4ft) on the line between Aberdeen and Dundee, leading to cancellations of flights from Aberdeen and Inverness airports.
School Closures in Northern Scotland
Despite many schools reopening after the Christmas break, hundreds of schools in northern Scotland will remain closed on Monday. Aberdeenshire, Shetland, Orkney, and some schools in Aberdeen have delayed their return to classes. In Northern Ireland, several schools are also expected to be closed.
Potential for Further Disruption
The Met Office is warning of the potential for another 20 to 30cm of snow as heavier and more frequent snow showers become more common during Sunday night. This could lead to further road and rail closures, power disruptions, and longer journey times by both road and rail on Monday and Tuesday morning.
UK Weather Forecast
Around the UK, most areas will be fairly sunny during the day, though light snow flurries are expected in some northern regions. The cold spell is expected to continue through the week, with temperatures slowly lifting but remaining below average.
The prolonged cold weather has prompted health alerts from the UK Health Security Agency across all of England until Friday. In Plymouth, city centre churches have opened their doors to provide shelter and support for the homeless due to the drop in temperatures.
Further south, Atlantic weather fronts are likely to bring more snow through the week, adding complexity to forecasts. The position of a low pressure system later this week will be crucial in determining where heavy snow or rain falls, with strong winds potentially causing additional disruption.
For up-to-date information and detailed local forecasts, residents can refer to BBC Weather.
