Scots drivers braced for more snow 18 | 12 | 2010

SCOTS DRIVERS are bracing themselves for another week of snow misery as the Met Office issued weather warnings for Lothian and the Central Belt. The warnings came much of Northern Scotland ground to a standstill after some of the heaviest snowfalls of the winter.

Aberdeenshire, Moray, the Highlands and the Western and Northern isles were hit hard as the atrocious conditions left Caithness cut off by road from the rest of Scotland before gritting and ploughing crews finally managed to open a 54-mile stretch of the A9 from Brora to Thurso.

Northern Constabulary warned motorists against non-essential travel. Throughout the night the force mounted special patrols on snow-covered routes to assist drivers in difficulty. Coastguard Rescue teams in a number of areas throughout the Highlands and Islands were also deployed to help police and medical staff battling the treacherous conditions.

Snow and sub-zero temperatures are set to hit the Lothians and much of the Central Belt next week as the cold snap continues to tighten its grip.

"There will be persistent and heavy snow showers at times through the weekend," forecaster Sarah Holland said. "If people are out and about today, there will be icy conditions and more snow showers.
"Unfortunately, there will be no let-up of these colder temperatures over the next few days. In rural areas, temperatures could get down to -7 or -8 and minus -4 or -5 in cities."

NOTE: Don't miss Scotcars' Alan Douglas on Radio 4's Broadcasting House at 9am tomorrow. Topic? Ill-prepared drivers and the snow!

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Jim McGill