Scotland is facing a second consecutive day of severe weather disruptions as Storm Bert unleashes powerful winds and localized flooding following heavy snowfall and rain. The central belt of the country experienced more snow than anticipated, leading to significant traffic issues and transport delays.
Early Saturday, roads became perilous, particularly the M8, which faced extensive traffic jams. Key routes such as the M74 and A68 were temporarily closed due to accidents. In response to the challenging conditions, Lothian Buses suspended all 70 of its routes across Edinburgh and nearby areas.
An amber weather warning for rain and snow was recently downgraded to a yellow warning for rain, remaining in effect until 09:00 on Sunday.
In an unprecedented move, the Queensferry Crossing was closed due to the risk of falling ice from its cable stays. Traffic was redirected via the Forth Road Bridge until 01:00 on Sunday. David Bishop from Bear Scotland noted that the closure was a precautionary measure aimed at preventing significant road incidents.
Throughout much of Saturday, all 700 buses in the Lothian fleet were grounded, though services resumed early Saturday evening. Other operators such as Citylink and McGill’s also reported disruptions, with sightseeing buses being canceled altogether.
George Henry, head of road safety at Transport Scotland, acknowledged that conditions had been exceptionally challenging. He stated that crews worked around the clock with over 240 gritters deployed to treat roads. Despite their efforts, some vehicles became stuck due to loss of traction in various locations.
Attention is now shifting towards the potential for localized flooding as temperatures rise and snow begins to melt. Henry urged motorists to exercise caution as surface water accumulates.
Regional flood alerts have been issued for areas including Dumfries and Galloway and Tayside. A specific flood warning has been raised for the Churchill Barriers in Orkney.
While over 3,000 homes in England and Wales experienced power outages due to the storm’s impact, Scotland has been relatively fortunate with only minor localized issues reported by Scottish Power and SSE.
As Storm Bert continues its slow progression, forecasters warn that additional rain could exacerbate existing challenges. A yellow weather warning remains in effect until Sunday morning for much of Scotland, particularly in the Highlands and Argyll and Bute, where winds may reach 65 mph.
The ongoing situation highlights the importance of preparedness in facing extreme weather events as communities brace for further developments in the coming days.
Storm Bert Disrupts the UK with Severe Weather Conditions As Storm Bert continues to rage across the UK, residents are grappling with heavy snowfall, torrential rain, and fierce winds that have led to widespread travel disruptions and power outages.
Storm Bert Causes Disruption Across the UK The UK is grappling with the aftermath of Storm Bert, which has unleashed a barrage of snow, heavy rain, and powerful winds.