Snow warning from Met Office

The Met Office has issued an amber weather warning with five to 10cm of snow forecast to fall over night bringing disruption to roads and power supplies.

According to the met office, outbreaks of sleet and snow will develop this evening (Wednesday), becoming persistent, with two to four inches of snow expected to “accumulate quite widely”, with maybe six inches on ground above 100m.

It warned that road conditions could be very difficult and that there may be disruption to transport and power supplies.

Snow is expected to drift on higher grounds but exposed north west coasts will likely experience mainly sleet and slush. The period of the warning is from 5pm to 6am.

The snow is expected to ease off on Thursday (tomorrow) with scattered snow showers throughout the day.

The Met Office’s chief forecaster said: “Please be prepared for some very difficult travelling conditions and some disruption to transport and power supplies.”

He said that an area of low pressure would pull away to the east of Shetland on Wednesday evening, allowing a strong cold west to northwesterly airstream to develop.

A slow-moving front on the western flank of the low will engage this cold air bringing a spell of persistent and heavy snow. While amounts of snow remain uncertain, especially on lowest ground, some travel disruption is expected, while the risk of accretion on power lines and communication masts will be increased by the strong winds.