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Storm Doris forecast prompts amber snow warning Storm Doris forecast prompts amber snow warning
(about 1 hour later)
The Met Office has updated its warning for snow associated with Thursday's arrival of Storm Doris. Preparations are under way across many parts of Scotland ahead of an amber snow warning associated with the arrival of Storm Doris.
On Tuesday, the Met Office issued a yellow "be aware" warning for parts of the Highlands, Aberdeenshire, central and southern Scotland. Central and southern Scotland are expected to be the worst affected areas for much of Thursday.
Wednesday's update sees it updated to amber "be prepared" for central and southern Scotland. Transport Minister Humza Yousaf said work had already started to try to prepare for the wintry blast.
Accumulations of 10 to 15cm "are likely quite widely" in the parts of Scotland covered by the amber warning. In the Scottish Borders, all school transport has been cancelled as most of the region is expected to be hit.
The Met Office added that 20 to 30cm of snow could fall on hills above 300m. The amber "be prepared" snow warning covers a large swathe of southern and central Scotland.
The amber warning lasts from 02:00 until 18:00 Thursday. Accumulations of 10 to 15cm "are likely quite widely" with 20 to 30cm of snow possible on hills above 300m.
Southern Scotland is expected to experience the heaviest snow falls and the weather could affect travel and power supplies. The south of Scotland is also covered by a new yellow warning for heavy rain. The warning lasts from 02:00 until 18:00 on Thursday.
Mr Yousaf said: "The Met Office is telling us that Storm Doris will bring a mixture of heavy snow, sleet and rain across central and southern areas and this will lead to poor driving conditions, especially around the Southern Uplands.
"Transport Scotland is working with the relevant organisations, such as Police Scotland and the road operating companies, to try to mitigate the effects of this latest set of wintry conditions, but we would ask road users to be mindful that disruption is likely and to plan accordingly.
"We have more gritters available across the trunk roads this year than ever before and these will be out with patrols across the night and into tomorrow morning and beyond."
Supt Fraser Candlish urged drivers to adjust to the conditions.
He said: "With a substantial risk of travel disruption due to the weather, motorists should consider whether their journey is absolutely necessary.
"If you do decide to travel, check local advice and ensure your vehicle is well prepared before setting off.
"Keep yourself safe by adjusting your driving to suit the road conditions and leave more space between you and the vehicle in front.
"Plan for the worst-case scenario by ensuring you have sufficient supplies, including food, water, warm clothes and a fully-charged mobile phone."
Southern Scotland is expected to experience the heaviest snow falls and the weather could affect travel and power supplies. The south of Scotland is also covered by a new yellow warning for heavy rain and one for strong winds.
A yellow warning for snow is in place for other parts of Scotland.A yellow warning for snow is in place for other parts of Scotland.
The Met Office said snow could fall to depths of 3-6cm on ground above 200m with 10cm or more above 300m. There could be accumulation of 1-3cm of snow at lower levels.
A multi agency response team is being brought into the Traffic Scotland national control centre as travel disruption is expected.
Dumfries and Galloway Council said it had started preparations and was ready to "escalate" its response levels.Dumfries and Galloway Council said it had started preparations and was ready to "escalate" its response levels.
However, the public were also being asked to take measures to ensure their safety.However, the public were also being asked to take measures to ensure their safety.
Principal Resilience Adviser Mark Thomson said: "The latest information received from the Met Office shows that conditions are going to be particularly challenging during rush hour tomorrow.Principal Resilience Adviser Mark Thomson said: "The latest information received from the Met Office shows that conditions are going to be particularly challenging during rush hour tomorrow.
"People should prepare for travel disruption."People should prepare for travel disruption.
"The forecast heavy rain will result in a lot of surface water on our roads, in addition to the challenges posed by snow fall in those areas affected.""The forecast heavy rain will result in a lot of surface water on our roads, in addition to the challenges posed by snow fall in those areas affected."
Both Midlothian and Scottish Borders Council said their gritters and snow ploughs would be out overnight.Both Midlothian and Scottish Borders Council said their gritters and snow ploughs would be out overnight.
Storm Doris is forecast to bring potentially damaging high winds to England and Wales and has prompted an amber warning, which has also been updated to cover a larger area.
Doris is the latest storm to be named by the Met Office, and follows Angus in November and December's Barbara and Conor.
While snow is far from unexpected in winter, heavy snowfalls followed shortly afterwards by milder weather have been a mark of this Scottish winter.
On Wednesday, parts of northern Scotland, including the Highlands and Orkney, have been experiencing strong gusts of wind.
For later this week, a yellow warning for heavy rain has been issued for western parts of Scotland.
The Met Office has issued the warning to cover most of Saturday.
It said: "A large area of rain is expected to cross the UK on Saturday.
"Whilst expected rainfall amounts, 50-75mm over high ground, are not unusual for February this follows a number of wet days.
"In addition there will be some melting of lying snow."