Hundreds of schools in northeastern Scotland will remain closed for a third day due to heavy snow. The region has faced multiple yellow warnings for snow and ice. Aberdeenshire Council declared a “major incident” to address issues caused by the ongoing severe weather. This decision is aimed at reallocating resources to tackle the challenges posed by the snow.
On January 3rd, schools in Aberdeenshire, Moray, and Aberdeen will be closed. About 65 schools in the Highlands also won’t open, marking a rocky start to the new term. However, some schools in the Western Isles, Shetland, and parts of Orkney will reopen as conditions improve.
As of now, more than 350 schools across Scotland have been affected. The Scottish Government’s Resilience Room held discussions with local authorities and utility companies about the weather response. Justice Secretary Angela Constance noted that challenging conditions are expected to persist, emphasizing the importance of safety measures for transport networks.
According to recent reports, areas in northern Scotland have been experiencing consistent snowfall since the start of the new year. Aberdeenshire’s decision to declare a major incident enables the council to mobilize additional staff and machinery to address the snow-clearing efforts.
Jim Savege, the council’s chief executive, mentioned that the incident declaration facilitates better resource allocation. He stated, “We’re diverting staff and equipment to clear roads and sidewalks more effectively.” Ian Yuill, co-leader of Aberdeen City Council, said this snowfall is the most intense he has seen in over 50 years, leading to the deployment of multiple snowplows and diggers.
Travel disruptions are significant. Roads like the A93 from Braemar to Glenshee have snow gates closed, and Police Scotland advises motorists to avoid these areas. Network Rail managed to clear the Aberdeen-Inverness line but continues to face difficulties with heavy snow accumulation affecting train operations.
The AA reported responding to nearly 13,000 breakdowns across the UK as of Tuesday afternoon, indicating the severe impact on drivers. Police Scotland continues to monitor the effect of the snow and encourages residents to check on vulnerable neighbors.
Stay tuned for ongoing weather updates, especially as Storm Goretti approaches, bringing additional weather warnings for southern England later in the week.
For ongoing weather alerts, visit the Met Office for the latest information.
