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Heavy snow expected during rush hour | |
(35 minutes later) | |
Heavy snow has been forecast to hit most of Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England during the evening rush hour period. | |
The Met Office has issued amber "be prepared" warnings, and commuters have been told to expect disruption. | |
More than 5cm (2in) of snow is expected at lower levels with 15cm (6in) over higher ground. | |
The Met Office said: "The public should be prepared for travel disruption and hazardous driving conditions." | The Met Office said: "The public should be prepared for travel disruption and hazardous driving conditions." |
The amber warnings are in place from 17:00 on Wednesday until 11:00 on Thursday. | |
Police Scotland has asked drivers to take extra caution across the country, and urged people to make sure their vehicles have enough fuel and are prepared for the snow. | |
Ch Supt Iain Murray said: "With a substantial risk of disruption to travel during the evening and morning rush hours motorists should consider spreading out or staggering their journeys across the peak periods. | |
"If you do decide to travel, ensure your vehicle is well prepared before setting off; make sure your windscreens are completely free of snow and ice, and your lights are working and clean. | |
"Road policing crews will be patrolling the road network to keep people safe during this period - please follow our advice to travel with extra caution." | |
Scottish Transport Minister Derek Mackay said he was expecting disruption to the transport network. | |
He added: "Gritters and patrols are out across the day and we have plenty of salt available. | |
"The winter control rooms are monitoring conditions 24/7 to ensure that the fleet is treating and patrolling where required but we would ask people to listen to police advice regarding the high risk of disruption." | |
Glasgow Airport said customers should check with their airlines before travelling, while Inverness Airport was closed for a short time on Wednesday morning to allow snow to be cleared from the runway. | |
ScotRail currently has no warnings for snow affecting the rail network. | |
Jet stream | Jet stream |
BBC Scotland weather presenter Kawser Quamer said the expected wintry weather was linked to the snowstorm which has hit New York and the surrounding states in the US. | |
She said: "Juno is being labelled as one of the worst winter storms the east coast of the states has ever seen, with severe disruption from New Jersey right up to Maine. | |
"The driver responsible for this storm is the jet stream. The contrast of very mild air meeting very cold air drives a strong jet stream and created this snow storm in the states to rapidly deepen and intensify. | "The driver responsible for this storm is the jet stream. The contrast of very mild air meeting very cold air drives a strong jet stream and created this snow storm in the states to rapidly deepen and intensify. |
"But we're on the other side of the same jet stream. | "But we're on the other side of the same jet stream. |
"That means our air is coming from Greenland and Iceland - cold arctic air, but without that ferocious snow storm. What it does give us however is frequent snow showers, together with very strong winds - it will feel bitterly cold." | "That means our air is coming from Greenland and Iceland - cold arctic air, but without that ferocious snow storm. What it does give us however is frequent snow showers, together with very strong winds - it will feel bitterly cold." |
Check out the latest travel news for Scotland | Check out the latest travel news for Scotland |
For the latest on the roads visit the BBC's travel news page and keep up to date with incidents and roadworks on the motorways here. | For the latest on the roads visit the BBC's travel news page and keep up to date with incidents and roadworks on the motorways here. |
Around the country you can check for updates from: | Around the country you can check for updates from: |
Alternatively, for regular travel bulletins listen live to BBC Radio Scotland and follow @BBCTravelScot. | Alternatively, for regular travel bulletins listen live to BBC Radio Scotland and follow @BBCTravelScot. |
In times of severe disruption you can also follow the BBC Scotland severe weather Twitter list of key sources. | In times of severe disruption you can also follow the BBC Scotland severe weather Twitter list of key sources. |
Below are a number of other traffic information sources. | Below are a number of other traffic information sources. |
Tell us how the snow and wintery conditions have affected you? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | Tell us how the snow and wintery conditions have affected you? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. |
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (international). Or you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (international). Or you can upload here. |
Read the terms and conditions. | Read the terms and conditions. |