A significant weather warning has been issued for the Highlands and Eilean Siar regions as the Met Office forecasts challenging conditions to sweep across northern Scotland from Sunday afternoon into Monday morning.
The yellow alert, which comes into effect at 16:00 on Sunday, 17 November, signals the arrival of increasingly wintry conditions that will bring a mixture of hail, sleet and snow to our Highland communities.
Whilst lowland areas may initially escape significant accumulation during daylight hours, forecasters predict between 1 to 3 centimetres of snow could settle in some locations overnight, with more substantial accumulations of 5 to 10 centimetres possible on higher ground above 300 metres by Monday morning.
Local authorities are particularly concerned about the formation of ice on untreated surfaces as temperatures plummet overnight, presenting hazardous conditions for both motorists and pedestrians throughout the region.
Transport Scotland and local councils are preparing their gritting teams for deployment, but travellers are being advised to expect potential delays on both road and rail networks throughout the warning period.
Safety officials are urging residents to take extra precautions, including planning journeys at least five minutes earlier than usual to avoid rushing on potentially treacherous surfaces.
Cyclists and pedestrians are being strongly advised to stick to main thoroughfares where possible, as these routes are more likely to have received treatment against ice formation.
Motorists throughout the Highlands are being reminded to ensure their vehicles are equipped with essential winter items, including warm clothing, food, water, blankets, torches, and ice-scraping equipment.
Highland residents are being encouraged to keep abreast of any updates to the weather warning, as conditions can change rapidly in our northern climate during this time of year.
The Met Office has confirmed the yellow warning will remain in place until 11:00 on Monday, 18 November, with their meteorological team monitoring the situation closely for any necessary adjustments to the alert level or duration.
