Live updates: Series of crashes as Aberdeenshire, Highlands and Islands and Moray hit by heavy snow
Live updates: Series of crashes as Aberdeenshire, Highlands and Islands and Moray hit by heavy snow.
Follow our live blog as the Met Office issues yellow and amber snow and ice warnings for Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Moray, the Highlands and Far North, as well as the islands.
On New Year’s Day, large portions of the north and northeast of Scotland awoke to snow, and circumstances are deteriorating rapidly.
Temperatures plummeted to -1°C despite a Met Office yellow weather warning that began at 6 a.m. on January 1. The warning has been raised to amber from noon on Friday to noon on Saturday, with heavy snowfall forecast.
There are currently severe snow and ice warnings, and conditions are likely to worsen further throughout the course of Friday and Saturday. Rain, sleet, snow, and hail are all anticipated, with gales in the north.
Some places are expected to receive up to a foot of snow, and lightning “may well be an additional hazard”. Forecasters have joined the police in urging motorists to make only necessary travels amidst a run of incidents on northern routes.
The weather advisories indicate that remote settlements “could become cut off” and that power outages may occur.
Drivers should check for closures and be prepared before leaving, while those taking public transport should check with operators about delays or cancellations.
This live blog updates every few minutes. To see the most recent information, refresh.
3.40pm – Thursday 01/01/26
Air travellers in the north and northeast have had a generally straightforward day, however minor delays are affecting major routes.
Early flights from Inverness Airport were mostly on time, including the 6.40am service to Gatwick and the 11.45am flight to Heathrow.
However, problems have arisen this afternoon, with the EZY848 to Gatwick already operating late.Other routes to Bristol, Luton, and Heathrow are operating as planned this evening.
Meanwhile, Aberdeen Airport has seen a steady stream of outbound planes take off, with many KLM and British Airways routes to Amsterdam and Heathrow now in flight.
The Widerøe aircraft to Stavanger is already boarding, and upcoming departures to Alicante, Bergen, and Luton are scheduled as usual.
Later BA flights to Heathrow are expected to leave slightly later than scheduled.As the weather worsens over the next few days, customers should check with their airlines before going.
3.25pm – Thursday 01/01/26
Met Office issues advice as weather worsens
As hazardous snow and ice conditions develop, the Met Office has given some general advice to motorists.
· Plan ahead to prevent unnecessary travel. • All road users should assess if they truly need to travel during inclement weather. • Consider postponing travel until conditions improve. • If you’re on the road, prepare yourself and your car for the conditions. •
Make sure your phone is charged and plan your trip, including an alternate route. • Carry enough fuel, warm clothing, food, and water in case you’re delayed. •
Do not ignore road closure signs—they are for your safety. • Congestion caused by automobiles may limit emergency services and recovery vehicles from providing critical help. •
Follow media and Traffic Scotland for updates and more information.
3.05pm – Thursday 01/01/26
Crash at Huntly as snowfall begins in earnest
Earlier in the day, the A90 was stopped near Huntly after a car wrecked in icy circumstances.
Police, fire, and ambulance all responded, and diversions were in effect for some time. The roadway has since reopened.
Police have advised motorists to only go out if absolutely necessary. There have also been reports of accidents on the A90 at Toll of Birness and the A82 at Loch Ba in the Highlands.
The A82 was temporarily closed in both directions due to a crash near Lochan na h-Achlaise, between Bridge of Orchy and Loch Ba. It resulted in huge tailbacks and major interruption for drivers.
Emergency services were dispatched to the area at 2 p.m. on New Year’s Day. Several automobiles are believed to have been involved.
The roadway has since reopened.
Welcome to our live weather blog
3pm – Thursday 01/01/26
Welcome to The Press and Journal’s live blog, where our writers will bring you the latest weather updates as the Met Office issues yellow and amber weather warnings for snow and ice.
Read more on Straightwinfortoday.com
Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.