Residents in the north and north-east are being told to take care on icy roads and expect more snow overnight.
This follows after several days of weather warnings filled with wintry weather and travel disruption.
A yellow warning has been in place since Monday, although it was upgraded to amber until midnight yesterday.
The yellow warning was expected to end today at 9am, but the Met Office now expects more snow and ice across the north and north-east until Thursday at noon.
⚠️ Yellow weather warning issued ⚠️
Snow and ice across parts of Scotland
Wednesday 0900 – Thursday 1200
Latest info 👉 https://t.co/QwDLMfRBfs
Stay #WeatherAware⚠️ pic.twitter.com/JedJQQcQBi
— Met Office (@metoffice) January 18, 2023
Continued warnings of travel disruption and icy surfaces have been issued for residents in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Moray, Highlands and Islands.
Motorists warned to take care in icy conditions
Heavy snow fell across Aberdeenshire, Moray and the Highlands and Islands yesterday causing treacherous driving conditions for many.
Many Highland, Aberdeenshire and Shetland schools were closed as a result of the wintry weather with several being shut again today.
Aberdeen City’s primary routes – around 50% of the city’s roads – were gritted twice overnight in preparation of the forecast wintry weather.
Pavements were also treated early this morning with gritters deployed on all secondary routes before 10.30am today.
Roads across the city will be treated twice again tonight as temperatures are expected to plummet to -4C.
Motorists have been warned to allow extra time for journeys as several vehicles have slipped off the road this morning.
Police closed the B999 Aberdeen to Tarves road at Potterton for a period of time today, with motorists being diverted along Panmure Gardens and the B997.
The snow gates at Tomintoul and Cock Bridge on the A939, as well as those at Cairn O’ Mount on the B974 are currently closed. Road users are advised to use an alternative routes.
At Braemar and Glenshee on the A93 and at Glen Dye, the snow gates are open.
Heavy snowfall in the Highlands causes disruption
Primary routes across the Highlands are being treated with tractor ploughs and diggers assisting gritters where needed.
Highland Council are urging drivers on the A890 from Achnasheen to Auchtertyre to take “extreme caution” as heavy snow and strong winds has caused some drifting across Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh.
Gritters are out on all routes.
Residents in Nairn and Inverness are being warned of six to 12 inches of snow on high ground side roads.
In Badenoch and Strathspey, there are reports of drifting snow over the Dava and Bridge of Brown routes and four inches of fresh snow and black ice on higher routes in Sutherland.
Heavy snow is being reported on the A95 Aviemore to Aberlour road which was earlier closed in both directions following an incident near Grantown on Spey.
Highland Wildlife Park in Kingussie announced it would be closed today due to heavy snowfall to ensure people’s safety.
⚠️ PARK CLOSED TODAY (Wednesday 18 January)❄️
Due to heavy snow, the park will be closed today for everyone's safety. We are very sorry for any disappointment and will contact everyone who is pre-booked as soon as possible💙
📸 Arktos and Walker in the snow from keeper Lauren pic.twitter.com/U1EjVrQbn7
— Highland Wildlife Park (@HighlandWPark) January 18, 2023
They have apologised for any inconvenience and will contact customers who have pre-booked tickets.
The University of the Highlands and Islands has also closed all north Highland campuses today with classes moved to online where possible.
Transport delays and cancellations
The Ullapool to Lochmaddy Calmac ferry service has been cancelled today due to strong winds forecast.
Other sailings facing delays or cancellations include:
- Mallaig – Armadale
- Mallaig/Oban – Lochboisdale
- Mallaig – Armadale
- Ullapool – Stornoway
- Oban – Castlebay
- Ardrossan – Brodick
- Gallanach – Kerrera
Direct ferries between Uig and Tarbert are not available until March due to ongoing works at Uig harbour.
Stagecoach Bluebird has also warned Aberdeenshire passengers to expect delays of up to 20 minutes due to the road conditions.
Milder weather on the way
More snow and sleet is expected to fall in most of the north and north-east later today and overnight as temperatures remain around 0C to -1C.
In Inverness, Oban and Elgin, conditions will remain cloudy today with wind gusts of up to 37mph expected overnight in Elgin.
[13:15] Snow and sleet will continue to move in from the north and west this afternoon, heavy at times with further accumulations of snow in places. Drier for much of Central and Southern Scotland, though often cloudy. Here's the earlier satellite and radar. pic.twitter.com/elERu36nfn
— BBC Scotland Weather (@BBCScotWeather) January 18, 2023
In other areas of the region, a little bit of sunshine is forecast.
However in Kirkwall, Fraserburgh, Lerwick, Stornoway, Wick and Aberdeen strong gusts of up to 39mph are again expected.
Due to ice, falling and lying snow and gusty winds, the temperature is forecast to remain cold over the next few days.
But as the weekend approaches, milder temperatures appear to come into force with residents in Stornoway expected to enjoy temperatures of 9C over Saturday and Sunday.
