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Blizzards forecast for north mountains

Cairngorm mountains
Cairngorm mountains

Blizzards were expected to return to high ground in the north last night and into today after a mild and very wet start to the New Year.

The weather is expected to turn colder and more wintry today and high winds are likely to cause disruption or cancellation of ferry services.

But the wind is expected to drop for the weekend when the weather should become drier and brighter.

The Met Office yesterday issued a yellow “be aware” warning of heavy and persistent rain for parts of the Highlands and islands.

And much of the area experienced rain throughout the day, with the heaviest and most persistent rain in Lochaber and Lochalsh.

Met Office meteorologist, John Mitchell, who is based in Aberdeen, said: “New Year’s Day was very mild, with an average temperature in the Highlands of about 10C and up to 11-12C in Oban and Kinlochewe later in the afternoon.”

He added that the average for the time of year was about 6-7C, adding that it would change dramatically overnight.

Mr Mitchell said: “The rain will move away leaving frequent, fairly heavy showers on Friday, which will be quite wintry especially over the higher ground.

“We are expecting snow above 200-300m (650-985ft), with blizzard conditions in the mountains, and it will be very windy, with gusts of around 50-60mph.

“There may also be the odd rumble of thunder.”

The maximum temperature today is expected to be around 6C.

Tomorrow is expected to start showery, but these are expected to become more scattered.

Mr Mitchell said: “It will become drier with lighter winds and Sunday will be mostly dry, with fairly light winds and some brighter spells.

“But, as we go through the day, it will become windier with patchy rain.”

Ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne is warning of possible disruption or cancellation of services today due to the forecast of high winds.

Meanwhile, the Mountain Weather Information Service is forecasting widespread upland gales for today, with snow and hail showers, in the north west Highlands, west Highlands, Cairngorms National Park and Monadhliath mountains.

It warns that there may be whiteout conditions at times and a possibility of lightning.