Worst is over hopes after Scotland’s week of weather warnings

Recovery efforts are now well under way in the north of Scotland after a week of severe snow, despite a weather warning still remaining in place.

A yellow weather warning for snow and ice started at 22:00 on Wednesday and will last until noon on Thursday, covering all areas apart from Shetland, but any snowfall will be less severe than in recent days.

Road clearance work is said to be progressing well and all rail routes except the far north line are now reopen.

Thousands of pupils are set to return to the classroom after severe weather delayed the start of the new term although some schools will remain closed.

Aberdeen City Council said a thaw, current weather forecast and school risk assessments suggested that “almost all” schools would be open at some point on Thursday morning, pending final checks.

Aberdeenshire Council said that for Thursday it would revert back to local decision-making for opening schools, following blanket closures for the last three days.

However, it said it anticipated only a “limited number” would be opening.

Moray and Highland schools will also decide on a case-by-case basis.

Highland Council said about 14 of its schools, including Tain Royal Academy and Golspie High School, had already decided to stay shut on Thursday.

But overall the number of closed schools is expected to be far lower than the 440 that were shut on Wednesday.

Ministers have again heard from police, local authorities, utilities companies and other bodies as the Scottish Government’s Resilience Room discussed the response to the severe weather.

Justice Secretary Angela Constance, who chaired the meeting, said afterwards that “the most severe weather has now abated” and significant work is now under way to help the hardest hit.

She said: “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.”

She said extra equipment including snowblowers, tractors and salt is being provided to Aberdeenshire council under mutual aid agreements.

Network Rail said work to clear the final section of the railways, north of Brora will be carried out on Thursday.

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.

Police Scotland urged people to continue following travel advice.

Parts of Scotland has now had more than a week of consecutive weather warnings for snow and ice, with the first issued on New Year’s Day.

Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and the Highlands, as well as the Orkney islands have been the worst hit.

BBC Scotland forecaster Kirsteen MacDonald said snow showers were expected to continue on Thursday.

Ice will remain a significant hazard with showers falling on to frozen surfaces, and partially thawed snow will refreeze readily.

Temperatures are expected to stay below average throughout the day and light showers of rain, sleet and snow are also expected.

The coldest conditions will gradually ease later this week, with milder air expected to move in over the weekend and into next week, helping temperatures recover toward more typical January levels.

However, wintry showers and icy patches are likely to linger, which may result in further warnings over the next few days.