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| Disruption as heavy snow falls hit Scotland | Disruption as heavy snow falls hit Scotland |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Heavy snow falls have been causing disruption as wintry conditions sweep across large swathes of Scotland. | Heavy snow falls have been causing disruption as wintry conditions sweep across large swathes of Scotland. |
| Traffic between Scotland and England has been affected, with lanes on the M74 southbound in Lanarkshire closed between J12 Millbank and J13 Abington. | |
| Traffic Scotland said gritters were working to make the motorway safe enough to fully re-open. | |
| Some drivers complained of being stuck in standstill traffic for more than two hours. | |
| The Met Office has issued an amber alert for south west Scotland, extending to parts of the central belt, lasting until Wednesday morning. Thundersnow was also forecast in the west. | |
| Earlier on Tuesday evening, all three lanes on the M74 at Millbank were closed but one has since re-opened. Police advised drivers to follow the gritter and said the delays would take some time to clear. | |
| Motorist Nigel Cliff, who was heading south, told BBC Scotland at about 19:00 that he had been stationary on the motorway for about an hour and a half. | |
| "It's pretty rough," he said. "It's snowing again now so it is probably only going to get worse. There are cars and lorries just sitting here - nothing moving." | |
| Mr Cliff said he was prepared for the conditions: "I've got food. I've got big thick coats, big thick socks. My wife always makes sure I've got everything in the car." | |
| Transport Minister Humza Yousaf tweeted that a number of HGVs had "lost traction with challenging weather impacting on M74". | |
| He added: "Necessary to close the junction to get additional gritters and equipment to the scene. | |
| Police Scotland said anyone taking to the roads in the worst affected areas was "highly likely" to experience disruption, and urged drivers to consider carefully if the journey was necessary. | Police Scotland said anyone taking to the roads in the worst affected areas was "highly likely" to experience disruption, and urged drivers to consider carefully if the journey was necessary. |
| A Multi Agency Response Team (Mart) is now operational to monitor conditions. The deputy first minister and transport minister also chaired a meeting of the Scottish government's resilience operation to receive an update on the situation. | A Multi Agency Response Team (Mart) is now operational to monitor conditions. The deputy first minister and transport minister also chaired a meeting of the Scottish government's resilience operation to receive an update on the situation. |
| Transport Minister Humza Yousaf said: "The Met Office has upgraded its snow warning for parts of south west and central Scotland, with the areas affected by the amber warning set to see heavier snowfalls and greater disruption to transport. | Transport Minister Humza Yousaf said: "The Met Office has upgraded its snow warning for parts of south west and central Scotland, with the areas affected by the amber warning set to see heavier snowfalls and greater disruption to transport. |
| "The snow and ice is likely to lead to difficult driving conditions, so I'd urge all travellers to take extra time and plan their journeys in advance. The high winds forecast for later in the week may also see some bridge restrictions." | "The snow and ice is likely to lead to difficult driving conditions, so I'd urge all travellers to take extra time and plan their journeys in advance. The high winds forecast for later in the week may also see some bridge restrictions." |
| The Met Office amber "be prepared" warning - which means transport and power supplies may be disrupted with a potential risk to lives and property - was issued from 15:00 on Tuesday until 08:00 on Wednesday and also extends across much of Northern Ireland. | The Met Office amber "be prepared" warning - which means transport and power supplies may be disrupted with a potential risk to lives and property - was issued from 15:00 on Tuesday until 08:00 on Wednesday and also extends across much of Northern Ireland. |
| The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service said crews had attended 12 crashes as a direct result of the poor conditions and at least 13 schools were closed. | The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service said crews had attended 12 crashes as a direct result of the poor conditions and at least 13 schools were closed. |
| Longer spells of snow were expected on Tuesday evening, with drifting over the hills in strong to gale force winds before the situation improves on Wednesday. | |
| Areas in Scotland affected by the amber warning included Central, Strathclyde, south-west Scotland and Lothian, the Borders and some parts of Tayside and Fife. | |
| Some high ground is likely to see 15-25 cm (6-10 inches) of snow building up, especially above 200-300m, with 5-10 cm (2-4 inches) more typical at low levels throughout the warning area. | Some high ground is likely to see 15-25 cm (6-10 inches) of snow building up, especially above 200-300m, with 5-10 cm (2-4 inches) more typical at low levels throughout the warning area. |
| Yellow warnings of snow are likely to remain in place across most of the country until late on Friday. | Yellow warnings of snow are likely to remain in place across most of the country until late on Friday. |
| Roads operator Amey tweeted a radar image on Tuesday afternoon, showing a number of key routes affected by the snow as the evening rush hour approached. | Roads operator Amey tweeted a radar image on Tuesday afternoon, showing a number of key routes affected by the snow as the evening rush hour approached. |
| Western Isles Council cancelled all bus services to and from Stornoway from 19:00 due to risk from snow and ice. | |
| Across Scotland more than 100 schools and nurseries were closed on Tuesday, with more than 10,000 pupils missing classes. | Across Scotland more than 100 schools and nurseries were closed on Tuesday, with more than 10,000 pupils missing classes. |
| In the Highland council area, the weather affected 13 secondary schools, 53 primaries, two special schools and 26 nurseries. About 8,900 pupils had an unexpected day off classes. | In the Highland council area, the weather affected 13 secondary schools, 53 primaries, two special schools and 26 nurseries. About 8,900 pupils had an unexpected day off classes. |
| Dumfries and Galloway Council said 20 schools were closed due to weather problems or heating failures. Some schools also closed in the East Ayrshire and Stirling Council areas. | Dumfries and Galloway Council said 20 schools were closed due to weather problems or heating failures. Some schools also closed in the East Ayrshire and Stirling Council areas. |
| In North Lanarkshire, all prelim exams for secondary pupils were postponed due to transport problems and all cafes in council leisure and culture buildings were shut. | In North Lanarkshire, all prelim exams for secondary pupils were postponed due to transport problems and all cafes in council leisure and culture buildings were shut. |
| South Lanarkshire Council closed 18 schools and nurseries throughout the day. | South Lanarkshire Council closed 18 schools and nurseries throughout the day. |
| A number of airports were affected by the wintry conditions, with Inverness airport closed for most of the morning. | A number of airports were affected by the wintry conditions, with Inverness airport closed for most of the morning. |
| Flights in an out of Aberdeen were also disrupted and Glasgow airport was briefly closed while the runway, taxi and passenger routes were cleared. | Flights in an out of Aberdeen were also disrupted and Glasgow airport was briefly closed while the runway, taxi and passenger routes were cleared. |
| Police Scotland urged drivers of heavy goods vehicles to exercise extreme caution, and warned they may be asked to park up by officers. | Police Scotland urged drivers of heavy goods vehicles to exercise extreme caution, and warned they may be asked to park up by officers. |
| Head of road policing, Ch Supt Stewart Carle, said: "Winter driving is a question of common sense and drivers should ask themselves if they really need to travel when conditions are poor. | Head of road policing, Ch Supt Stewart Carle, said: "Winter driving is a question of common sense and drivers should ask themselves if they really need to travel when conditions are poor. |
| "No-one should ever place themselves at risk on the road and it may be worth considering postponing your journey or making alternative arrangements such as delaying travel until conditions improve or using public transport. | "No-one should ever place themselves at risk on the road and it may be worth considering postponing your journey or making alternative arrangements such as delaying travel until conditions improve or using public transport. |
| "If you are travelling on the roads you should ensure you and your vehicle are adequately prepared for the conditions, making sure you have sufficient fuel and supplies such as warm clothing, food and water in the event you are delayed for several hours. | "If you are travelling on the roads you should ensure you and your vehicle are adequately prepared for the conditions, making sure you have sufficient fuel and supplies such as warm clothing, food and water in the event you are delayed for several hours. |
| "Charge your mobile phone and plan your route as well as alternative routes. Listen to media broadcasts, especially local radio, and visit the Traffic Scotland website." | "Charge your mobile phone and plan your route as well as alternative routes. Listen to media broadcasts, especially local radio, and visit the Traffic Scotland website." |
| The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for most of Scotland not covered by the amber alert. | The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for most of Scotland not covered by the amber alert. |
| At low levels 2-8cm (1-3 inches) of snow can be expected, but there may also be thundersnow - a thunderstorm with snow falling instead of rain - especially in western areas. | At low levels 2-8cm (1-3 inches) of snow can be expected, but there may also be thundersnow - a thunderstorm with snow falling instead of rain - especially in western areas. |
| Forecasters said there was potential disruption to power supplies due to lightning strikes. | Forecasters said there was potential disruption to power supplies due to lightning strikes. |