The Met Office has issued the whole of Scotland with a new yellow warning of snow and ice which comes into effect tonight.Fionnuala Boyle and Lucinda Cameron and Nick Forbes, Press Association Scotland
19:56, 07 Jan 2026
Severe conditions were forecast in Scotland as winter weather sweeps across the UK(Image: Getty)
Scots are being warned that more snow and ice is on the way for many parts of the country, with ministers saying “significant work” is taking place to support those hardest hit. Up north remains under a yellow weather warning for ice and snow until midnight, with weather experts warning 5-10cm of snow is likely to fall across ground above 100m, while areas above 200m could see up to 20cm.
The Met Office has also slapped the whole of Scotland with a new yellow alert of snow and ice which comes into effect at 10pm on Wednesday and will expire at midday on Thursday. Despite the ongoing wintry blast, ministers said the severe weather affecting the north of the country in particular has now subsided, meaning the recovery effort can begin.
The announcement came following a meeting of the Scottish Government’s Resilience Room, involving ministers and bodies including the police, local authorities and utilities companies.
Scotland has been beset by snow and ice since the turn of the year(Image: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)
Speaking after, Justice Secretary Angela Constance said: “While the most severe weather has now abated, there is now significant work taking place to ensure that those hardest hit can return to as close to normality as possible. The fact that major transport links are open is significantly helping to ensure that people have access to the services and supplies they need.
“Work is now focusing to ensure that those who have experienced the most severe disruption, particularly the vulnerable, are being supported, with access routes and services reopened as soon as possible… Partners are continuing to work together to provide mutual aid where it is needed, including snow blowers, tractors and salt to Aberdeenshire Council.”
Nearly 450 schools across several councils were shut on Wednesday with remote learning being used as an alternative where possible. In Aberdeenshire, all schools and council-run nurseries remained closed for a third day, along with dozens of schools in Moray and Aberdeen and a number of those in Orkney and Shetland.
Snow outside Insch Co-op.(Image: PA)
Pupils in the Highlands were due to return from the holidays on Wednesday but many enjoyed an extra day off, with more than 120 schools shut due to the weather conditions. Aberdeenshire Council declared a major incident on Tuesday, warning of a “good chance” some rural communities will be cut off, as well as the possibility of power cuts.
The council said decisions on whether schools can open safely on Thursday will be made at local level following blanket decisions the last three days, though it expects this to be a “limited number”. Network Rail Scotland said the vast majority of Scotland’s railway is open on Wednesday, though there were still “challenges due to deep snow” between Inverness and Kyle of Lochalsh and Inverness to Wick/Thurso.
The Kyle Line had reopened by around 2pm, Network Rail Scotland said. On the roads, Highland Council said the A836 Lairg to Tongue road is shut due to drifting snow at Crask and north of Altnaharra, while Traffic Scotland said snow gates are shut at the Spittal of Glenshee to Braemar, Cock Bridge to Tomintoul, and at Bridge of Dye.
The Scotland-wide warning that comes into force at 10pm on Wednesday predicts 1-2cm of fresh snow may accumulate in some places, with 2-5cm on ground above 200-300 metres.