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Storm Doris forecast prompts amber snow warning Traffic problems as Storm Doris snow strikes
(about 17 hours later)
Preparations are under way across many parts of Scotland ahead of an amber snow warning associated with the arrival of Storm Doris. Travel disruption is affecting parts of Scotland as snowfalls associated with Storm Doris reach the country.
Central and southern Scotland are expected to be the worst affected areas for much of Thursday. Among the worst affected routes was the M80 which was blocked in both directions.
Transport Minister Humza Yousaf said work had already started to try to prepare for the wintry blast. A Met Office amber "be prepared" snow warning covers a large swathe of southern and central Scotland.
In the Scottish Borders, all school transport has been cancelled as most of the region is expected to be hit. They are expected to be the worst affected areas throughout much of the day with strong winds and heavy rain also forecast.
The amber "be prepared" snow warning covers a large swathe of southern and central Scotland. In the Scottish Borders, all school transport has been cancelled as most of the region is forecast to be hit.
Accumulations of 10 to 15cm "are likely quite widely" with 20 to 30cm of snow possible on hills above 300m. The A7, A9, A68, A81 and Edinburgh city bypass are among the routes to have seen some snowfalls and snow gates have been closed on the B974 Banchory to Fettercairn road.
The warning lasts from 02:00 until 18:00 on Thursday. McGill's Buses had reported some disruption to Greenock services, with buses unable to get out of a depot due to snow, but they have since resumed.
Mr Yousaf said: "The Met Office is telling us that Storm Doris will bring a mixture of heavy snow, sleet and rain across central and southern areas and this will lead to poor driving conditions, especially around the Southern Uplands. Stein Connelly of Transport Scotland said driving conditions had started to deteriorate.
"Transport Scotland is working with the relevant organisations, such as Police Scotland and the road operating companies, to try to mitigate the effects of this latest set of wintry conditions, but we would ask road users to be mindful that disruption is likely and to plan accordingly. "We are getting heavy snowfalls on the M80, A720, A82 up through Glencoe and the A9 at Drumochter," he said.
"We have more gritters available across the trunk roads this year than ever before and these will be out with patrols across the night and into tomorrow morning and beyond." "The amber warning is starting to kick in."
Accumulations of 10 to 15cm were said to be "likely quite widely".
On higher ground, snowfall could reach 20 to 30cm across Falkirk, South Lanarkshire, East Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Edinburgh, Dumfries and Galloway and the Lothian region.
The warning started at 02:00 and lasts until 18:00.
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Transport Minister Humza Yousaf said: "Transport Scotland is working with the relevant organisations, such as Police Scotland and the road operating companies, to try to mitigate the effects of this latest set of wintry conditions.
"We would ask road users to be mindful that disruption is likely and to plan accordingly."
Supt Fraser Candlish urged drivers to adjust to the conditions.Supt Fraser Candlish urged drivers to adjust to the conditions.
He said: "With a substantial risk of travel disruption due to the weather, motorists should consider whether their journey is absolutely necessary.He said: "With a substantial risk of travel disruption due to the weather, motorists should consider whether their journey is absolutely necessary.
"If you do decide to travel, check local advice and ensure your vehicle is well prepared before setting off."If you do decide to travel, check local advice and ensure your vehicle is well prepared before setting off.
"Keep yourself safe by adjusting your driving to suit the road conditions and leave more space between you and the vehicle in front."Keep yourself safe by adjusting your driving to suit the road conditions and leave more space between you and the vehicle in front.
"Plan for the worst-case scenario by ensuring you have sufficient supplies, including food, water, warm clothes and a fully-charged mobile phone.""Plan for the worst-case scenario by ensuring you have sufficient supplies, including food, water, warm clothes and a fully-charged mobile phone."
Southern Scotland is expected to experience the heaviest snow falls and the weather could affect travel and power supplies. The south of Scotland is also covered by a new yellow warning for heavy rain and one for strong winds. Southern Scotland had been expected to experience the heaviest snow but it appeared to have hit further north initially.
The south of Scotland is also covered by a new yellow warning for heavy rain and one for strong winds.
A yellow warning for snow is in place for other parts of Scotland.A yellow warning for snow is in place for other parts of Scotland.
Dumfries and Galloway Council said it had started preparations and was ready to "escalate" its response levels.
However, the public were also being asked to take measures to ensure their safety.
Principal Resilience Adviser Mark Thomson said: "The latest information received from the Met Office shows that conditions are going to be particularly challenging during rush hour tomorrow.
"People should prepare for travel disruption.
"The forecast heavy rain will result in a lot of surface water on our roads, in addition to the challenges posed by snow fall in those areas affected."
Both Midlothian and Scottish Borders Council said their gritters and snow ploughs would be out overnight.