The north of Scotland is preparing for blizzards and travel disruption as an Arctic blast moves in from the sea this week bringing with it the possibility of “thundersnow”.
With yellow weather warnings for wind and snow in place for tomorrow through to Friday, the Met Office is warning travellers to beware.
Some of the heaviest snow showers are expected on Thursday and Friday when there could also be lightning, potentially causing power cuts.
With the cold air originating over arctic Canada, Met Office meteorologist Emma Sharples warned that with the high winds and snow “we could get some blizzard type conditions, especially at height”.
Quizzed on the possibility of “thundersnow”, where the rain associated with a thunderstorm falls as snow, she added: “It is possible, all that really needs is for thunder to happen at the same time as the snow.
“So where you get very active or vigorous showers – which is what we are going to see… then we could well get some thunder as well. It is definitely possible.”
Ms Sharples said that because the snow at lower levels will come in the form of “showers”, unless there is “shower after shower coming over the same location”, it is unlikely to build up to too much.
But she warned: “Even a centimetre of snow in this country can obviously cause some disruption”, adding that there could also be “some showers in land, but they are likely to be short-lived”.
Airline Loganair is offering customers booked to fly during the warning period the choice to adjust travel plans.
Met Office spokesman Oli Claydon said: “We have warnings out from Wednesday to Friday, with an Arctic maritime air mass taking control over the weather of the UK from Wednesday onwards, moving from north west pushing south, the north will feel colder compared with the rest of the UK.
“There will be strong winds, with gusts of up to 55mph and potentially above that. This will be mixed in with snow, which will be 2-5cm deep. Above 300 metres it could be up to 10cm.
“That could bring some slightly tricky driving conditions, especially in the Highlands and the further north west you go. There could be disruption to public transport.
“People should take extra care and leave extra time for journeys.”
Many Western Isles ferry passengers have been urged to travel today because the run of stormy weather means their next guaranteed journey is not until Friday.
Barra and South Uist travellers are advised to catch special sailings between the islands and the mainland today.
