Hopes of white Christmas fade with forecast of rain

By Catriona Webster

Published:

THE north-east faces a brown Christmas this year, with experts forecasting rain and sleet tomorrow.

The milder weather brought some respite for embattled travellers yesterday, after snow and ice caused widespread chaos earlier in the week.

Aberdeen remains the bookies’ favourite for a white Christmas, with William Hill offering odds of 5/6.

A spokeswoman for the Met Office said it would continue to thaw, with slush and sleet on Christmas Day.

She said today would start cold but fairly dry and bright with sunny spells later in the day.

It will remain dry overnight but very cold, with temperatures around -3 or -4C, giving way to sunny spells on Christmas Day.

“There could be some light snow showers later on Christmas Day,” she added.

“But with temper- atures around 2 or 3C it’s more likely to be rain and sleet.”

Roads in Moray and Aberdeenshire were awash with slush yesterday as the snow started to thaw. While conditions improved throughout the area, the B974 Banchory to Fettercairn route remained closed by snow at Cairn O’ Mount.

Many rural routes were also affected by patches of ice and the snow that still blanketed most of the north-east.

With temperatures expected to plunge well below freezing overnight, motorists were warned to take care of icy patches on the roads and to only drive if absolutely necessary.

Flights from Aberdeen to and from destinations including London, Newcastle and Leeds were cancelled as bad weather continued to affect airports throughout the UK.

Liverpool John Lennon Airport closed for a short time last night because of a deluge of snow, a spokesman said. It later re-opened.

Yesterday Aberdeen city council workers were battling to get on top of the disruption caused by the weather, including delayed bin collection rounds.

The council was accused of trapping elderly people in their own homes by not gritting pavements.

Labour councillor Willie Young said enough money should be set aside to clear paths of snow and ice. He said: “We must ensure that our elderly, infirm, disabled and young are not put at risk of being trapped as prisoners in their own homes thanks to winter’s harsh conditions.

“This is only the beginning of what may well be a hard winter and by putting in proper resources now we will help our citizens over the coming months.”

A spokesman for Aberdeen City Council said the authority had 19 footpath gritters working yesterday, with busiest routes taking priority.

Another 64 roads department staff were working manually to clear areas in the city which the gritters could not reach, including stairs.

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Gritting crews were also out in force in Dundee yesterday. All 13 snowploughs in the city were operating from early morning to tackle the main roads and 20 mini ploughs were being used on pavements and paths.

In Tayside and Angus driving conditions remained difficult after more than three inches of snow fell across the area on Tuesday.

The wintry weather also forced the partial closure of the A93 15 miles north of Blairgowrie at the snow gates. The Met Office forecast plenty of sunshine in Tayside today with a slight snowfall on Christmas morning and an expected temperature of 1C.

Dundee City Council’s social work and health convener councillor Jim Barrie appealed for people to look out for elderly and vulnerable residents over the Christmas period.

Last night Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson praised the workers operating around the clock to keep Scotland’s transport network moving. He said: “Winter maintenance on the trunk road network is monitored and managed 24/7 and I am continuing to receive regular updates on conditions.

“Salting across the network was being carried out overnight and continued throughout the day with 2,500 tonnes of salt already spread on the trunk roads.

“Travellers should spare a thought for all those involved in clearing the roads, operating rail and manning our airports, who are working round the clock to ensure they complete their journeys in time for Christmas. Above all, they should avoid unnecessary journeys which may add to disruption.”