The Met Office has issued an amber warning for heavy snow covering parts of Scotland from early Thursday morning, with forecasters predicting significant disruption across central and southern regions. The warning, active from 03:00 GMT until 18:00 GMT on Thursday, affects the Grampians, Central, Tayside & Fife, and Strathclyde areas.
Widespread snow accumulation is expected, with 5 to 10 centimetres forecast at lower elevations. Above 200 metres, accumulations could reach 10 to 20 centimetres, posing difficult driving conditions and isolated communities. Moderate wind speeds will combine with falling snow to reduce visibility and cause drifting.
The Met Office warns of considerable travel delays and cancellations on roads, railways, and potentially air routes due to the heavy snowfall. Power cuts and disruption to mobile phone coverage are also possible in affected areas. Residents are urged to prepare for these eventualities and only travel if absolutely necessary during the warning period.
Outside the amber warning area, wider parts of Scotland, Northern Ireland, and northern England face yellow warnings for snow and ice throughout Thursday and into Friday, predicting slippery surfaces and some travel disruption. Wales and central England may experience wintry showers and icy patches.
The cold snap follows a period of unsettled weather across the UK. Temperatures in the amber warning area will range from 0°C to 2°C during the day, dropping below freezing overnight. Further south, temperatures will be slightly higher but still cold, with widespread frosts expected.
Residents are advised to check road conditions before travel, ensure vehicles are winter-ready, and carry essential supplies. Those in rural areas should consider temporary isolation and prepare accordingly.