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Snow disrupts schools and travel Schools and travel chaos in snow
(about 4 hours later)
More than 200 schools have been forced to close and several roads are blocked after heavy snow hit northern Scotland. Almost 300 schools have been forced to close and many roads are blocked after heavy snow hit northern Scotland.
There were more than 230 primaries and secondaries in Aberdeenshire, Aberdeen, Moray and Highland closed, and trains and flights have also been affected. More than 270 primaries and secondaries were shut in Aberdeenshire, Aberdeen, Moray and Highland, and trains and flights have also been affected.
Many roads had to be closed, with dozens of cars and lorries stuck. Several roads had to be closed, with cars and lorries getting stuck.
Grampian Police warned drivers they should only venture out on essential journeys, with a severe weather warning being issued for the area.Grampian Police warned drivers they should only venture out on essential journeys, with a severe weather warning being issued for the area.
There were 140 schools closed in Aberdeenshire, 39 in Moray, more than 30 in the Highlands, and 21 in Aberdeen. There were 145 schools closed in Aberdeenshire, about 60 in the Highlands, about 40 in Moray and 26 in Aberdeen. Twelve Borders schools were also closed. Some children still had to brave the snow if their school was open class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7872139.stm">Your pictures: Snow in the north class="" href="/1/hi/scotland/highlands_and_islands/7871606.stm">Motorists move road closed signs
No trains were running between Elgin and Aberdeen, and flights have been affected in Aberdeen, Inverness and Orkney. No trains were running between Elgin and Aberdeen, and flights were affected in Aberdeen, Inverness and Orkney.
Grampian Police said the emergency services had been able to access the length of the A96 between Huntly and Keith and the road was in the process of being treated.
Vehicles were being escorted through as part of a convoy.
Other roads in the area were being checked for motorists who may have been trapped by the weather.
A convoy system was also put in place to help traffic move along the A9 between Inverness and Aviemore after heavy snow closed the route.
Many other parts of the force's area, particularly Caithness, were also severely affected by snow.
Signs removed
Amid the disruption, police said they had reports of motorists removing road closed signs on routes affected by heavy snow.
Sgt Kevin Marshall, of Northern Constabulary, said warning signs were placed on roads for good reason.
He said: "If a road is closed it is that - it's closed. We have had reports that some signage has been removed from the roads by motorists. I would urge that they don't do this."
The Met Office warned that heavy snow was falling in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Angus and would do so for much of Thursday.The Met Office warned that heavy snow was falling in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Angus and would do so for much of Thursday.
It added that up to 10cm would accumulate on higher inland ground.It added that up to 10cm would accumulate on higher inland ground.
The heavy snow caused major traffic delays in Aberdeen class="" href="/1/hi/scotland/highlands_and_islands/7871606.stm">Snow closes key Highlands route Grampian Police published a list of routes which had been affected by the weather. They included:
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  • the A941 Elgin to Rothes, which was closed due to vehicles being stuck in the snow near Fogwatt
  • the A96 Glens of Foundland, which has been affected by drifting snow but is still passable with extreme care
  • the A96 North of Huntly to Keith, which is currently impassable due to heavy snow
  • the A96 near Fochabers, where trees are down due to heavy snow
  • the A98, which is affected by drifting snow between Banff and Fochabers, with cars stuck near Buckie
  • the A97, with heavy snow between Aberchirder and Banff
  • the B976, Crathie to Gairnshiel road closed
  • the A93 closed at Glenshee
  • and several roads in Aberdeen city centre.
Northern Constabulary also said the A9 had closed between Aviemore and Inverness. Generally, all roads north of Huntly and along the Moray Firth between Banff and Forres were affected by snow.
Many other parts of the force's area, particularly Caithness, had also been severely affected by snow. The A68 was also shut south of Jedburgh.
Grampian Police published a list of routes which had been affected by the weather. They included:
  • the A941 Elgin to Rothes, which was closed due to vehicles being stuck in the snow near Fogwatt
  • the A96 Glens of Foundland, which has been affected by drifting snow but is still passable with extreme care
  • the A96 North of Huntly to Keith, which is currently impassable due to heavy snow
  • the A96 near Fochabers, where trees are down due to heavy snow
  • the A98, which is affected by drifting snow between Banff and Fochabers, with cars stuck near Buckie
  • the A97, with heavy snow between Aberchirder and Banff
  • the B976, Crathie to Gairnshiel road closed
  • the A93 closed at Glenshee
  • several roads in Aberdeen city centre.
Generally, all roads north of Huntly and along the Moray Firth between Banff and Forres are affected by snow.
Show us your snow images by sending pictures in via the form below.Show us your snow images by sending pictures in via the form below.
You can send pictures and video to: newsonlinescotland@bbc.co.uk or to send via MMS please dial +44 (0)7725 100 100.You can send pictures and video to: newsonlinescotland@bbc.co.uk or to send via MMS please dial +44 (0)7725 100 100.
Do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.Do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.
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