“BLIZZARD conditions” are expected to hit Scotland on Wednesday, the Met Office has said as it extended its yellow weather warning.
Heavy snow and ice are predicted for large parts of the country on Wednesday and heading into Thursday. Areas set to be affected include Central Scotland, Tayside and Fife, Grampian, the Highlands and Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland and parts of Strathclyde.
A warning for ice alone is in place for south-west Scotland and the Lothian borders areas.
The Met Office says the snow and ice could bring travel disruption, and safety risks for pedestrians.
“Some roads and railways likely to be affected with longer journey times by road, bus and train services,” the organisation said.
They also told Scots to expect “some injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces” and “icy patches on some untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths”.
Explaining the weather warning, the Met Office said: “Showers will fall as snow to low levels inland on Wednesday, continuing through Wednesday night and Thursday morning.
“Accumulations of 2-5 cm are possible at lower levels, with 5-10 cm above 200 metres.
“Some drifting and blizzard conditions are likely in the strong northerly winds. In addition, ice is likely to form on untreated surfaces, mainly where some of the showers fall as rain or sleet on some coasts.”
Warning to vulnerable people as temperature drops
It comes as the Met Office and UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued a severe cold weather alert for England and warned the plummeting temperatures could increase health risks to vulnerable people and disrupt deliveries.
Dr Agostinho Sousa, consultant in public health medicine at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), said older people and those with heart or lung conditions are particularly at risk from the cold weather, adding: “If you have a pre-existing medical condition, you should heat your home to a temperature that is comfortable for you.
“In rooms you mostly use, such as the living room or bedroom, try to heat them to at least 18C if you can. Keep your bedroom windows closed at night. Wearing several layers of clothing will keep you warmer than one thicker layer.”
The RAC has advised motorists to check their vehicles are “winter ready”, with properly inflated tyres that have good tread.
