Six mile traffic jams clog the roads in Scotland today as hundreds of skiers tried to take advantage of an incredible five days of snow fall north of the border – and forecasters have warned snow could make it as far south as London on Saturday night into Sunday.
Police Scotland have warned people to stay away from the Glencoe Mountain Resort and Nevis range, as pictures showed miserable drivers stuck in lengthy queues.
The Met Office has issued snow and ice warning for most of the country tonight and into Sunday – warning travellers to take care.
Forecasters estimate it is the most snowfall since 2010 when depths of snow exceeded 12 inches in areas.
The A82 is blocked due to an alleged car that spun off the road in the highlands
Passengers wait outside their cars in the Scottish highlands as the A82 is blocked, it is alleged a car spun off the road
Highlands roads also saw cars abandoned in the road blocking the gritters from clearing the path.
Inspector Jen Valentine urged people to remove abandoned cars or have them seized.
‘We understand that there is currently a six mile tailback of traffic heading towards Glencoe,’ she said.
‘Unfortunately drivers have decided to abandon their cars on the approach road as the car park is full, which is obstructing gritter vehicles trying to get through.
‘Similarly at Nevis Range, cars are also being abandoned on the access road and there is a risk that tailbacks may affect the A82.
‘These abandoned cars at both centres are posing a risk so I am urging anyone who has left their car to return and move it. Any cars not moved will be seized.
‘It is great that so many people are wanting to take advantage of the good weather and skiing available in our area however, public safety on the roads is crucial and has to be our priority.’
Aviemore and Cairngorms after the snow on Friday afternoon during a respite from the bad weather
A snow plough grits the M74 as the Met Office upgrade its weather warning weather warning across the country
Drivers were urged to stay off the road last night as amber weather warnings were in place across Scotland and northern England causing disruption on the roads.
The M74 saw delays due to the wintry weather and collisions, with travel officers warning other routes across the country could face difficulties over the coming days.
Warnings of a ‘high risk’ of travel disruption, dangerous driving conditions and slippery pavements remain across most of the country, including the south west and Wales.
It follows up to a foot of snow falling in Scotland yesterday, with temperatures expected to sink as low as -11C last night.
More snow is expected into the weekend with another foot adding to the 14in already blanketing some areas.
It follows four days of snow in which weather experts and transport bosses issued three amber weather alerts, an unprecedented number.
A total of 200 drivers were trapped in drifts on the M74 overnight on Tuesday, with a mountain rescue team being scrambled to hand out food and blankets.
The week’s wintry weather culminated with Police Scotland and Transport Minister Humza Yousaf urging employers to release staff early to avoid road chaos last night.
Commuters have been reassured that a respite is on the way, with a nationwide thaw on Monday. However, the sudden rise in temperature may lead to flash floods.
The Met Office forecast across the UK, showing temperatures as low as -6 degrees in Scotland
A scenic Loch Morlich in Scotland after the snow on Friday afternoon
Met Office spokesman Grahame Madge said: ‘Snow and ice is going to be the main issue this weekend with a further 4-6in falling in high ground and just over 1in at lower levels.
‘We’d advise people to take care on untreated roads and pavements and ask the question of whether they absolutely need to travel. That is the case for both Saturday and Sunday. However, as we go into next week warm weather coming up from England will mark a change, with a jump in temperature of 10C in 48 hours. Unfortunately, this may lead to some flooding as the snow melts.’
Yesterday transport links struggled under a deluge of snow, ice and wind.
One driver was photographed braving the cold to clear a path through a blocked road with a shovel. A farmer also dyed his sheep bright orange for fear of losing them in the featureless landscape.
Traffic on the M9 near Falkirk during a snow blizzard in Central Scotland
The Met Office’s three day forecast predicts dangerous weather in Scotland and northern England today
Pictured is a map showing the affected areas in the UK as heavy snow hit large parts of Scotland and northern England
A view of a snowy St Paul’s Square in the Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham. Met Office warning for ice was in place Saturday for large swathes of the UK as wintry conditions continue to prevail
Pedestrians cross a main road in Birmingham city centre as they’re pelted with snow
The worst-hit area was Tulloch Bridge, Inverness-shire, which, as well as being predicted to be the coldest place in the UK last night, recording temperatures of -11C, was also covered in 14.5in of snow, with more expected.
Dozens of schools were closed yesterday, including 12 in the Scottish Borders, while some shut early, including 41 in the Highland region.
There was rail disruption at Crianlarich, Stirlingshire.
ScotRail said services were delayed for up to 75 minutes due to ‘a combination of severe weather, another operator’s service breaking down and a signalling fault’.
Sheep graze in a field as the Met Office in Thornhill, Scotland, as more than a foot of snow falls across Scotland
A man clears snow in Wanlockhead, Scotland as the Met Office issues a yellow weather warning across Scotland, northern England, the midlands and Northern Irealnd
Superintendent Louise Blakelock, of Police Scotland’s Road Policing department, warned drivers yesterday: ‘If you are able to, please make your homeward journey earlier. If you are an employer, please think carefully about allowing your staff to return home early if possible.’
On yesterday’s amber alert – which expired at 10pm – Mr Yousaf said: ‘I’d ask employers to be flexible and consider letting staff leave early.’