Met Office issue Scotland’s first ever Red weather warning for snow in central belt

THE Met Office has issued its highest level of warning for parts of the central belt.

The Red weather warning is in place from Wednesday at 3pm until Thursday at 10am.

Edinburgh and the Lothians, large parts of Fife, Perthshire, Stirlingshire and the north of Glasgow are all affected.

The warning states: “Heavy snow showers and drifting of lying snow in the strong easterly winds will become more widespread across the area later on Wednesday afternoon, through the evening and overnight into Thursday.

“Roads will become blocked by deep snow, with many stranded vehicles and passengers. Long delays and cancellations on bus, rail and air travel are expected. Some communities could become cut off for several days. Long interruptions to power supplies and other services.”

The @metoffice has just upgraded weather warning to Red – the highest possible level. This is valid from today 3pm – Thur 10am. Areas affected below.

To reiterate our travel advice – avoid travel. Ask yourself if your journey is absolutely essential? If not, do not travel. pic.twitter.com/zERptqty58

— Humza Yousaf (@HumzaYousaf) February 28, 2018

❗️RED WEATHER WARNING ISSUED❗️

A red weather warning has just been issued for later on today.

Please #beprepared

We will tweet more details and advice when we can but please follow @policescotland for more updates https://t.co/cmdBdCLasj

— GlasgowNorthPolice (@GlasgowNPolice) February 28, 2018

It’s the first time Scotland has been put on red alert since the new warnings system came into place.

A Red warning means: “Extreme weather is expected. Red means you should take action now to keep yourself and others safe from the impact of the weather.

“Widespread damage, travel and power disruption and risk to life is likely.

Scotrail announce all trains in central belt to be cancelled

“You must avoid dangerous areas and follow the advice of the emergency services and local authorities.”

Scotland’s Transport Minister Humza Yousaf said people should avoid travel unless essential and warned the weather is due to worsen.

He told Sky News: “We are very clear … avoid travel. This is the highest and most severe weather warning, it is red. It is the first time we have ever had a red weather warning for snow in Scotland.

“So it just re-emphasises that message that people should ask themselves the question ‘is this journey absolutely and utterly essential?’ – if not, do not travel.”

He said that people should consider leaving work early if they are able to do so, because of the red warning.

He added: “Progressively the day is going to become worse with the weather challenges particularly from 3pm onwards so it is only going to get worse.”