Aberdeenshire and Moray residents have been warned that heavy snow followed by a rapid thaw and rain could cause disruption this weekend; Met Office has issued further yellow weather warning for much of northern UK
Heavy snow followed by a rapid thaw and rain could cause disruption to parts of Aberdeenshire and Moray this weekend, the Met Office has warned.
It has issued another weather warning for the region - its second so far this morning - amid forecasts that the Arctic blast which is expected to bring additional showers in the coming days, will come to an end on Saturday and Sunday with further disruptive conditions.
A warmer front from the west is expected to push across the UK on Saturday, but could produce persistent snow in the Highlands when it bumps into the existing frigid air mass sitting over Scotland.
Before it turns back to rain, it could dump an additional; 40cm of snow on some high routes, with temporary accumulations of 10cm or more at lower levels.
This will be followed by a rapid thaw and the possibility of an extra 20-40mm of rain in some upland parts - increasing the risk of localised flooding.
Commenting on the fresh warning, a Met Office spokesperson said: “Outbreaks of rain will spread north-eastwards on Saturday, preceded by a spell of snow across parts of northern England and Scotland.
“Whilst snow will become increasingly confined to higher elevations with time, there is the chance of a transient period of snow to low levels in some areas, with perhaps as much as 5-10 cm accumulating in places… before turning back to rain.
“Temporary snow accumulations of 10-20 cm are possible on ground above 150m, with perhaps as much as 20-40 cm above 300m.
In conjunction with strengthening winds, difficult driving conditions are likely, especially over higher level routes, with possibly some interruptions to power supplies.
“In addition, the rapid thaw of lying snow as milder air arrives, with perhaps an additional 20-40 mm of rain in some upland areas during Saturday night, will lead to a greater likelihood of rainfall impacts later in the period.”
The warning area covers most of mainland Scotland as well as some of the Hebrides.
