Some areas of the north-east could still see a white Christmas despite earlier warnings that Storm Barbara had scuppered all hopes of snow.
The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for wind across the north-east but said Peterhead and Fraserburgh could yet see some of the white stuff.
For those in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, forecasters have said its “not impossible” that there cold be a snowfall but said it was less likely.
On Christmas Day itself, forecasters expect gusts of up to 70mph to hit parts of the North-east and warned that snow could fall in northern Aberdeenshire.
A Met Office spokeswoman said: “The wind direction will change to a North-westerly direction on Christmas Day but areas like Aberdeen tend to be quite sheltered.
“It’s unlikely but not impossible Aberdeen will see some snow. The north coast of Aberdeenshire is likely to see hail.”
The Press and Journal reported yesterday how serious delays to Christmas travel were to be expected as Storm Barbara batters the north of Scotland.
Forecasters have advised residents to be aware of the potential structural damage – more likely across the northwest of the warning area – as well as disruption to power supplies and travel, with restrictions on bridges and disruption to ferries.
The Met Office’s Chief Forecaster warned: “A deep depression, now named Barbara, will move northeastwards across the Atlantic, passing close to the northwest of Scotland later Friday and overnight into Saturday.
“South to southwesterly winds will increase earliest across the west of the warning area early on Friday, before the strongest winds develop across western then northern Scotland later on Friday and overnight into Saturday.
“The last place to see winds easing is likely to be Shetland on Saturday morning.”
