New ice warning as north and north-east braces for weekend of heavy snow and -17C temperatures

As much as 20cm of snow could be accumulated over high ground while temperatures of up to –17C are expected in the Cairngorms from Tuesday.

By Alberto Lejarraga

January 3 2025, 9:29 am

A new yellow weather warning for ice in Scotland has been issued by the Met Office. Image: Met Office

Snowfall is expected to continue this weekend in the north and north-east with temperatures to drop to as low as -17C next week.

The Met Office issued a new yellow warning for ice for most of the Highlands, Moray and parts of Aberdeenshire between 4pm on Saturday and 10am on Sunday, January 5.

It’s expected to cause travel disruption, with temperatures to fall again widely below freezing during Saturday evening.

Craigellachie Bridge covered in snow — Craigellachie Bridge was covered in snow on Thursday. Image: Jason Hedges/DC Thomson

Aberdeenshire, Moray and the Highlands were covered in white on Thursday as several weather warnings affected the regions.

A yellow weather warning for snow and ice remained in place for the north and north-east until 10am on Friday.

The Met Office issued another yellow warning for snow and ice across Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Moray and parts of the Highlands between 9am on Sunday and 6am, Monday, January 6.

Meanwhile, the weekend’s heavy snowfall will be followed by freezing temperatures next week.

The Cairngorms will be hit with temperatures as cold as –10C while up to –17C will be experienced in the hills of the National Park.

Heavy snow could fall in north and north-east

According to the Met Office, whilst not all areas may be affected, outbreaks of snow will likely develop during Sunday and Sunday night.

While 2-5cm may accumulate in quite a few areas, as much as 10-20 cm may be seen over high ground.

Aberdeen sign in Union Terrace Gardens covered in snow during Met Office yellow weather warning — Union Terrace Gardens was covered in snow on Wednesday. Image: Kenny Elrick/DC Thomson

The snowfall is set to bring further travel disruption on roads along with delayed or cancelled rail and air travel.

Power cuts may occur and there is a slight chance that some rural communities could become cut off.

Temperatures to plunge next week

Freezing temperatures are expected to follow Sunday and Monday’s snowfall in the north and north-east.

Towns across the Cairngorms National Park will be hit with temperatures as low as –10C from Tuesday, January 7.

In Aberdeenshire, temperatures in Braemar are set to plunge to –10C on Tuesday and –9C on Wednesday and Thursday.

Temperatures will plunge to -17C in the Cairngorms National Park. Image: Braemar MRT

Meanwhile, Kingussie will likely experience further snowfall in the Highlands on Tuesday with temperatures dropping to –8C.

In Aviemore, temperatures will be as low as –6C on Wednesday and Thursday.

The weather will be extreme in the hills of the national park.

Up to –17C will be reached at the Ben Macdui’s summit on Tuesday and –16C on Wednesday and Thursday, but the ‘feels like’ temperature could plunge to –20C.

Similarly, -16C will be reached at the Cairn Gorm summit next week with the ‘feels like’ temperature as cold as –21C.