Update on weather
Resilience Room meets to discuss latest progress and weather outlook.
The Scottish Government’s Resilience Room (SGORR) met this afternoon to consider the ongoing response to the severe weather in northern Scotland.
The meeting was chaired by Justice Secretary Angela Constance and attended by First Minister John Swinney, Cabinet Secretaries, the Met Office, Police Scotland, local authorities, resilience partnerships, transport and utilities companies.
With yellow warnings for snow and ice in place across most of Scotland for much of the weekend, and SEPA’s flood forecast highlighting a low flood risk in northwest Scotland from Sunday, Ministers continue to ask people to follow all relevant advice.
Ms Constance said:
“As we enter a second consecutive weekend of weather warnings with continued snowfall and cold conditions forecast, I appreciate parts of Scotland are still not back to normal. While progress on recovery by partners continues at pace, I again want to thank the public for their patience and understanding that full recovery takes time.
“If anyone affected is isolated or needs help or assistance, they should not hesitate to seek help from their local authority, health board or other public service.
“Yellow warnings for snow and ice are in place across most of Scotland for much of the weekend making driving conditions dangerous and increasing the risk to slips and falls.
“Later on Sunday, snow will start to transition to rain or sleet and flooding impacts are likely in northwest Scotland, with a low risk of minor river and surface water flooding affecting low lying land, roads and properties.
“Taken together, it’s therefore really important for people to continue to plan ahead this weekend and check the range of weather, travel and flooding advice available.
“Ministers will continue to do everything that we can to monitor and manage the situation.”
Background
Met Office weather warnings are available on the Met Office website.
A three day forecast of flood risk for Scotland is available on the Scottish Environment Protection Agency website.
Advice on preparing for severe weather can be found on the Ready Scotland website.
Follow Traffic Scotland for the most up-to-date information on the trunk roads throughout the warning periods, via their website, social media channels and radio broadcasts. Updates on ScotRail services and road conditions are available online.
To report a power cut or damage to electricity power lines or substations call the SP Networks national Freephone number 105. More information on what to do during a storm can also be found on SP Energy Website.