The Met Office has issued warnings for today and tomorrow amid freezing conditions.
11:16, 04 Jan 2026Updated 13:23, 04 Jan 2026
Rail workers are working to clear the snow and keep services running. (Image: Network Rail)
Snowploughs are being used to clear railway lines in the north of Scotland while some roads have been deemed “impassable” as snow hit the country.
Network Rail said heavy snow in areas such as Kintore, Aberdeenshire, has seen snowploughs dispatched to clear the railway line, as well as further north on the line to Wick.
The Met Office has today issued fresh amber weather warnings for snow and ice for the north of Scotland.
The warnings cover much of the Highlands, Grampians and Northern Isles, and will come into place from 6pm until 10am tomorrow morning. Commuters have been warned of blizzard like conditions with the potential for another 5-10cm of snow accumulating at low levels, with the potential for 20-30cm on high ground.
Weather warnings are in place between Sunday and Monday(Image: Met Office)
A yellow warning that was due to be in place across the north of Scotland until midday tomorrow has now been extended until midnight.
Additionally, the Met Office has added a new yellow warning for Tuesday. While East Lothian and the Scottish Borders are still expected to see cases of scattered snow showers and icy patches until 11am on Tuesday, December 6, the rest of central Scotland and the north are predicted to be hit with snow and ice until 11:59pm.
Some 32 gritters were sent out in Aberdeenshire on Sunday morning and parts of the road network are said to be “impassable”.
Kennethmont in Aberdeenshire is said to have been hit with particularly heavy snow, according to Network Rail.
A spokesperson for the Highland Council said: “With strong winds and more snowfall overnight, a combination of drifting snow and freezing conditions is causing challenging conditions in some areas across the Highland Council area.
A huge fleet of gritters have been working to clear the snow from roads through the night. (Image: Bear Scotland)Wintry conditions in Aberdeen. (Image: PA)
“Our roads teams are operating a full weekday gritting service today to clear snow and ice on as many routes as possible, but conditions are difficult in some areas.
“In Easter Ross, Sutherland and Caithness, many local roads are impassable and only essential travel is advised as the team, supported by local contractors, focus on clearing primary routes.”
Aberdeen Council have closed schools due to the conditions on the roads and a decision will be taken tomorrow on when they reopen.
A spokesperson said: “Due to weather conditions and uncertainty around road conditions, the opening of all Aberdeen City Council schools and ELC provisions will be delayed until 11am on Monday 5 January.
“Breakfast Clubs will not be open. Further updates for each school will be provided by head teachers tomorrow morning once they have assessed individual local circumstances. Parents/guardians will be contacted as per normal via Groupcall.”
Scotrail announced today that services running between Aberdeen and Inverness, Aberdeen and Dundee and Inverness-Wick/Thurso will be unlikely to run until at least midday. Network Rail worked through the night clearing snow and applying de-icing fluid at key routes, including: Montrose, Aberdeen, Elgin, Kingussie-Moy, Kyle of Lochalsh and Fort William after some lines saw snow accumulations of around 20cm.
LNER said there was “major disruption” to their services north of Dundee, which was expected to continue into Sunday afternoon.
The weather has led to 12 of Scotrail’s 36 routes being affected, including services from Glasgow and Edinburgh. Anyone travelling is urged to check the website before setting off.
Traffic Scotland has had to close a number of roads due to the inclement weather conditions. The A939 was closed at the snow gates between Tomintoul and Cock Bridge on January 1 due to adverse weather conditions and remains shut.
The A93 is also closed at the snow gates between Braemar and Spittal of Glenshee due to adverse weather conditions. The A9/A99 between Helmsdale and Wick is closed in both directions due to heavy snow and road users are advised to use an alternative route at this time.
Police have advised people to think about hanging travel plans as an amber weather warning means there is a risk of power cuts and risk to life and property.
Yesterday, ScotRail announced several train cancellations in the north of Scotland. Roads in the north-east of Scotland were also shut, with severe delays reported on the A90 between Brechin and Stonehaven because of snow drifts.
Police strongly advised people in Orkney against travelling due to the conditions on the roads, with those around Badenoch and Strathspey in the Highlands badly affected, and police advising against all but essential travel.
Arctic air plunged much of the UK into sub-zero temperatures in the first days of January, with nearly -6C being recorded at Loch Ness on Friday night.
Assistant Chief Constable Alan Waddell: “The forecasted heavy snow showers and ice means driving conditions are likely to be hazardous in some areas. Our advice is to plan ahead and consider if your journey is really necessary during the weather warnings.
“We continue to work with partners to help our communities impacted by the adverse weather.
“If you need to travel, please drive to the conditions, be prepared for delays and allow extra time for your journey. Please don’t drive through road closures, the decision to close roads is not taken lightly and is done for public safety.”
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