The Met Office has issued weather warnings for wind and snow across the bank holiday weekend as Storm Dave hits Scotland.Ewan Mowat Deputy Lifestyle, Trends, & Showbiz Editor
11:35, 02 Apr 2026Updated 11:45, 02 Apr 2026
Storm Dave is set to hammer Scotland this Easter weekend(Image: Met Office)
Scotland has been issued a ‘danger to life’ weather warning for the Easter weekend as a named storm approaches at pace. Storm Dave looks set to cause chaos across the country on Saturday, April 4, and Sunday, April 5.
The Met Office has issued weather warnings for all of Scotland apart from the Northern Isles as winds of up to 90mph and “blizzards” are forecast for the worst-hit regions that may cause “travel disruption”. A yellow alert was issued yesterday, April 1, covering most of Scotland, but that has been updated now that the weatherfront has been named.
The initial warning now runs from 5pm on Saturday until 7am on Sunday, covering the south of Scotland, as well as part of England and Wales. Winds could peak at 70mph across this region, with the chance of injuries from large waves and delays on roads and rails expected.
The new wind warning carries much higher risk. Running from 6pm on Saturday until 12pm on Saturday, it could cause “danger to life” from flying debris, huge waves, and beach material being thrown into seafronts and coastal roads.
Stretching from Ayrshire in the south west and Eyemouth in the south east, it covers the rest of the Scottish mainland and all of the Inner and Outer Hebrides. Only Orkney and Shetland are not covered by the alert area.
The Met Office predicts snow of up to 20cm and “for a time, blizzard conditions” for the worst-hit regions. Travel delays are expected as well as power cuts.
There is a ‘danger to life’ due to Storm Dave causing huge waves to crash upon Scotland’s coasts(Image: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)
The Met Office said: “Rain arriving from the south through Saturday afternoon is likely to turn to sleet and snow over hills as it meets cold air across central and northwest Scotland.
“During the evening snow may turn heavier and as winds increase, blizzard conditions with drifting and blowing snow likely to lead to very poor visibility across the hills and mountains of the northwest of Scotland.
“Accumulating snow on roads will mostly be above 200 m elevation, where 5-10 cm is possible and a small chance of 10-20 cm
Those travelling have been told to expect delays and cancellations, with road, rail, air, and ferry services all potentially affected, along with the chance that certain roads and bridges may close.
Winds could hit 90mph in Scotland’s worst-hit locations this weekend(Image: Dougal Waters/Getty Images)
There may be power cuts in certain areas, as well as damage to buildings as tiles get blown off roofs. Storm Dave is a “rapidly deepening area of low pressure” that will move northeastwards across Scotland on Saturday evening into Sunday morning.
Very strong winds are expected during this time, with gusts of 50-60mph expected widely across Scotland. More exposed locations may see winds of up to 70mph, while there is a chance that the worst-hit areas could see 80-90mph gales at times.
The Met Office said: “If you are on the coast, stay safe during stormy weather by being aware of large waves. Even from the shore large breaking waves can sweep you off your feet and out to sea.”
On top of the two wind warnings, a snow alert has also been issued. Running for 12 hours from 3pm on Saturday until 3am on Sunday, it covers a region stretching north west from Perthshire to the Western Isles, covering much of the west coast and Highlands.
Regions and local authorities affected by the ‘danger to life’ warningCentral, Tayside & Fife
- Angus
- Clackmannanshire
- Dundee
- Falkirk
- Fife
- Perth and Kinross
- Stirling
Grampian
- Aberdeen
- Aberdeenshire
- Moray
Highlands & Eilean Siar
- Na h-Eileanan Siar
- Highland
SW Scotland, Lothian, and Borders
- Dumfries and Galloway
- East Lothian
- Edinburgh
- Midlothian Council
- Scottish Borders
- West Lothian
Strathclyde
- Argyll and Bute
- East Ayrshire
- East Dunbartonshire
- East Renfrewshire
- Glasgow
- Inverclyde
- North Ayrshire
- North Lanarkshire
- Renfrewshire
- South Ayrshire
- South Lanarkshire
- West Dunbartonshire