Commuters braced for snowy weather

Dec 3 2012

Commuters are being urged to take extra care as the first widespread snowfall of winter is expected to cause challenging travelling conditions.

Snow and sleet mixed with low temperatures is likely to cause icy conditions and Transport Scotland have met with police, forecasters and transport operating companies to prepare their response.

Around 5cm of snow could fall in many areas. Rain and sleet is expected to prevent it from lying, but low temperatures could turn it to ice.

Thermometers in central Scotland fell as low as -6C over the weekend and it was coldest at Loch Glascarnoch in Caithness where a temperature of -8.2C was recorded on Sunday morning.

Gemma Plumb, a forecaster with MeteoGroup, the weather division of the Press Association, said: "In low areas there could be up to 5cm of snowfall but sleet and rain is due to follow the snow and looks likely to wash most of it away from low areas, particularly in the west and central parts of the country.

"By morning the showers will be along the east coast and pushing into the north of Scotland.

"More snow could be due to fall on Wednesday night into Thursday, but again it seems that higher parts, 250m or so above sea level, will be most likely to see it lying."

Transport Scotland's network manager Stewart Leggett said: "As this is expected to be the first widespread snow of the winter, our Multi Agency Response Team will be operational tomorrow morning to monitor how the transport network is coping.

"We are working alongside police, operating companies, the rail industry and other key responders ahead of the Monday morning peak to ensure preparations are in place.

"We would urge people to be extra careful in icy conditions. This is a timely opportunity to remind the public of the wide range of advice that's available, including live travel information and tips on preparing for and driving in bad weather."