UK weather: Heavy snow warnings as drivers stuck in two-metre snowdrifts rescued
Written by News on 05/02/2021
Drivers had to be rescued after their vehicles became stranded in two metres of snow in the north of Scotland.
Cars got trapped overnight on the A835 between Ullapool and Garve, Highland Council said, with emergency services assisting the rescue operation.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said it got to the Aultguish Inn on the A-road at about 5.15am on Friday, and crews remain at the scene.
Road management organisation Bear Scotland said snowdrifts were two metres deep.
About 20 vehicles got stuck at Loch Droma, the council said.
Despite plough trains being used to clear snow from the tracks, Network Rail said services had been disrupted on the Highland Mainline.
Bear Scotland also said the A85 was closed west of Methven in Perth and Kinross because of flooding caused by surface water. All vehicles except HGVs and buses were being diverted.
The Met Office has issued an amber warning for snow for large parts of northern Scotland, warning it could be “persistent and heavy” and lead to “significant disruption”.
A yellow rain warning is in place for eastern parts of Scotland and north-east England.
About 10-15cm of snow is forecast at low levels, with 20-30cm likely above about 150m.
Further warnings for snow and ice cover the eastern half of Britain from midday on Saturday until Wednesday.
There is also a large amount of rain forecast for parts of England and Scotland.
It may feel as cold as -5C (23F) across some areas of the UK from Sunday, with a band of cold air forecast to move in from the East, remaining in place for the early part of next week and keeping temperatures hovering around freezing.
All this comes as the first snowdrops of the season have begun to emerge – often seen as the start of spring.
Sky News weather producer Joanna Robinson said: “Snow showers will move in off the North Sea to affect eastern parts, but more disruptive snow is likely for parts of East Anglia and the South East on Saturday night and Sunday.
“The Met Office has issued an amber snow warning for eastern parts of Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and Kent, valid from 4am on Sunday.
“Around 5-10cm of snow is likely, with up to 20cm possible, especially for the Kent Downs. Disruption is likely.”
(c) Sky News 2021: UK weather: Heavy snow warnings as drivers stuck in two-metre snowdrifts rescued
