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Travel warning as heavy snow hits Scotland | |
(35 minutes later) | |
Motorists in Scotland are being urged to exercise caution as a band of snow moves across the country. | |
Earlier drivers in the south-west were urged to "avoid unnecessary journeys" following a spate of road accidents. | |
Police said heavy snowfall across Dumfries and Galloway was causing problems on roads including the A75, which was blocked just outside Dumfries for a time. | |
A Met Office yellow weather warning for snow and ice is in force until 18:00. | |
In the south-west, the A75 Grenta-Stranraer road was blocked at the Glen as vehicles were unable to get up the hill. | |
Police later said it had been gritted and was "passable with care". | |
Heavy snow was also affecting the A76, the A701, the A709 and the A713 Castle Douglas - Ayr road, where there were a number of accidents. | |
In their latest statement, police in Dumfries said: "If you are having to drive, please slow down and drive to the conditions." | |
Traffic Scotland also urged drivers to check their routes before setting off and to ensure they were carrying emergency supplies in case they get stuck. | |
Glasgow Airport has been closed while the runway is cleared of snow. | |
North Wales Police also warned of poor conditions on the roads due to snow and ice, particularly on routes in Snowdonia. | North Wales Police also warned of poor conditions on the roads due to snow and ice, particularly on routes in Snowdonia. |
Meanwhile, the Mountain Road was closed on the Isle of Man due to snow. | Meanwhile, the Mountain Road was closed on the Isle of Man due to snow. |
In Northern Ireland, a yellow warning of ice was in force until 09:00 on Sunday, while a yellow warning of rain runs until 3pm. | In Northern Ireland, a yellow warning of ice was in force until 09:00 on Sunday, while a yellow warning of rain runs until 3pm. |
The yellow "be aware" warning covers much of inland Scotland, and was later extended to cover the north-west Highlands and parts of the Western Isles. | |
Large swathes of England may also be affected, with areas as far south as Hertfordshire, Essex and Suffolk covered by the warning. | |
BBC Scotland Weather's Christopher Blanchett said the band of snow, sleet and rain would move north-east across Scotland on Sunday. | |
"Expect a centimetre or two to low levels; 10cm or more on ground above 300m," he added. | |
The Met Office's chief forecaster said most of the expected snow would fall on higher ground and snowfall would vary considerably across the warning area. | The Met Office's chief forecaster said most of the expected snow would fall on higher ground and snowfall would vary considerably across the warning area. |
He added that rain could fall on frozen surfaces following a "very cold night" | He added that rain could fall on frozen surfaces following a "very cold night" |
"Some roads and railways likely to be affected, with longer journey times by road, bus and train services," the forecaster said. | "Some roads and railways likely to be affected, with longer journey times by road, bus and train services," the forecaster said. |
"Some injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces. Probably some icy patches on some untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths. | "Some injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces. Probably some icy patches on some untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths. |
"The snow is expected to become confined to northeast Scotland later in the day as it progressively turns to rain from the southwest." | "The snow is expected to become confined to northeast Scotland later in the day as it progressively turns to rain from the southwest." |
Saturday night saw the coldest temperature recorded in the UK since February 14 2016, when minus 14.1C was recorded at Braemar. | Saturday night saw the coldest temperature recorded in the UK since February 14 2016, when minus 14.1C was recorded at Braemar. |
Despite the frigid temperatures in the far north, the mercury rose to 11C in the far south west of England. | Despite the frigid temperatures in the far north, the mercury rose to 11C in the far south west of England. |
Met Office forecaster Steven Keate said the near 20C difference, caused as warmer air moves in, was "pretty unusual for the UK". | Met Office forecaster Steven Keate said the near 20C difference, caused as warmer air moves in, was "pretty unusual for the UK". |
"The broad theme is it is turning milder from the west, but before we get there some snow will fall," he said. | "The broad theme is it is turning milder from the west, but before we get there some snow will fall," he said. |
What the weather warning colours mean | What the weather warning colours mean |
The latest weather warning follows a week of cold weather, snowfall and travel disruption in Scotland. | The latest weather warning follows a week of cold weather, snowfall and travel disruption in Scotland. |
It continued on Saturday, as a number of football matches were cancelled, including the Scottish Cup tie between Fraserburgh and Rangers. | It continued on Saturday, as a number of football matches were cancelled, including the Scottish Cup tie between Fraserburgh and Rangers. |
The fourth-round tie, due to be played on Sunday, was called off after the pitch at Bellslea Park failed an inspection. | The fourth-round tie, due to be played on Sunday, was called off after the pitch at Bellslea Park failed an inspection. |
There was also disappointment for some snowsports fans who had hoped to take to the slopes on Saturday. | There was also disappointment for some snowsports fans who had hoped to take to the slopes on Saturday. |
Many of them got caught in heavy traffic and lengthy tailbacks at Glencoe Mountain Resort and Nevis Range. | Many of them got caught in heavy traffic and lengthy tailbacks at Glencoe Mountain Resort and Nevis Range. |
Police told motorists queuing to get into the ski centres that the car parks were full and urged them to "turn back". | Police told motorists queuing to get into the ski centres that the car parks were full and urged them to "turn back". |
And two men were rescued from a mountain ridge in Glencoe after spending the night in sub-zero temperatures. | And two men were rescued from a mountain ridge in Glencoe after spending the night in sub-zero temperatures. |