Scotland is staring down the barrel of another brutal winter blast as the Met Office issues new yellow weather warnings for heavy snow and fierce winds across large parts of the country this week.
The alerts come just weeks after the north-east was brought to a standstill by deep snow and flooding, and forecasters are now warning of blizzard conditions, drifting snow, and possible travel chaos from Monday night through Wednesday.
New Warnings Cover Most of Scotland
The main yellow warning runs from midnight on Monday 17 February until 3pm on Wednesday 19 February and covers all of mainland Scotland north of the Central Belt, plus Orkney.
A separate warning for Shetland kicks in at 6pm on Tuesday and also lasts until 3pm Wednesday.
The Met Office says some lower areas could see 5cm of snow, while higher ground in the Highlands and Cairngorms may get up to 20cm by midweek. Strong gusts will create drifting and blizzard-like conditions, especially across the north and north-east.
Areas Already Battered This Winter
Communities in Aberdeenshire, Moray, Highland, and Perth & Kinross have barely recovered from the chaos of early January and early February.
Schools were forced to close, roads became impassable, and hundreds of homes lost power during the last major snowfall on 5-6 January.
Inverness, Braemar, and the Cairngorms recorded some of the heaviest falls, with residents describing scenes “like a Christmas card turned nightmare” as bin collections were cancelled and delivery drivers gave up.
Now those same areas are being told to brace once again.
Travel Disruption Almost Certain
Police Scotland has already urged people to avoid non-essential travel from Tuesday onward.
Chief Inspector Darren Bruce said: “We saw how quickly conditions deteriorated last time. Please check your journey, carry extra warm clothes, food, water, and a fully charged phone.”
Rail services north of Perth are likely to face delays or cancellations, while the A9, A90, and A96 are expected to be among the worst affected roads.
Mountain rescue teams are on standby, with the Cairngorm and Glencoe teams warning hillwalkers and skiers to stay away from high ground.
Power Cuts and Isolated Communities at Risk
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) has extra engineers on alert after more than 2,000 homes were left without power during the last cold snap.
Remote communities in Sutherland, Wester Ross, and the islands face the highest risk of being cut off if snow blocks single-track roads for several days.
One resident in Tomatin told BBC Scotland: “We were stuck for three days last time. No milk, no bread, no school bus. We’re stocking up again, but it’s exhausting.”
What You Should Do Right Now
The Met Office and local councils are urging people to prepare now.
Here is their key advice:
- Check on elderly or vulnerable neighbours
- Stock up on food, medicine, and pet supplies for at least three days
- Keep torches, batteries, and a battery bank for phones
- Clear gutters and drains to reduce flooding risk when snow melts
- If you must drive, carry a shovel, blanket, hot drink, and high-visibility jacket
- Follow @MetOfficeScot and @trafficscotland on X for live updates
Will This Be the Worst Yet?
Forecasters say this system is different from January’s because it combines very cold air with strong winds, increasing the chance of widespread drifting and blizzard conditions.
BBC Weather presenter Kawser Quamer warned: “This has the potential to be more disruptive than the snow we saw at the start of the month because of the wind.”
Temperatures will struggle to get above freezing in many places during the day, with overnight lows dropping to -8°C or lower in rural spots.
The cold spell is expected to ease by Thursday, but forecasters say further snow showers remain possible into the weekend.
Scotland has been hit hard this winter, and people are tired. Farmers are worried about livestock, parents are juggling yet more school closures, and small businesses that rely on February half-term tourists are counting the cost.
Yet in villages across the Highlands, neighbours are once again checking in on each other, clearing paths together, and making sure no one gets left behind.
That community spirit is what gets people through.
Stay safe, stay warm, and look out for each other.
What do you think of this latest snow warning? Are you stocked up and ready? Drop your thoughts below and share your photos or videos using #ScotlandSnowWatch if you’re out in it (safely!).
