Snow warning for Scots motorists 14 | 12 | 2010
SCOTLAND'S DRIVERS should prepare to face another blast of severe wintry weather on Thursday as more snow blasts in from the Arctic. The icy conditions are expected to coincide with the morning rush-hour; and provide the first test for new Transport Minister Keith Brown.
According to the Met Office, more snow and widespread icy conditions would be accompanied by plummeting temperatures that would last until at least the weekend.
The warning comes just as the roads, rail and transport infrastructure was slowly grinding back to normal after a week of disruption caused by heavy snow during last Monday's morning peak.
It doesn't need us to remind you of the chaos which ensued when motorways and other major routes across the Central Belt were gridlocked after several lorries jack-knifed, leaving thousands of motorists stranded or forced to abandon their vehicles.
Thursday's deterioration is, according to the Met Office, expected to start with a band of rain which will push slowly south turning to sleet and then snow. As the strong northerly winds set in, temperatures are expected to plummet leaving widespread ice and the risk of yet more treacherous driving conditions.
"Following the rain and snow on Thursday, skies are expected to clear rapidly, with widespread ice likely to form quickly," chief forecaster Steve Willington said. "This could lead to disruption to travel networks, potentially through the morning rush-hour in Scotland.
"Snow showers are then likely to spread across many places exposed to the northerly wind, especially northern and western parts of the UK later on Thursday and through Friday."
The weather warning will provide the first test for newly-appointed Transport Minister Keith Brown. The MSP, who has already taken part in a Scottish Government's Resilience meeting, which co-ordinates the government's emergency response to the weather, has pledged to keep Scotland on the move.
"My focus as new transport minister is to ensure everything possible is being done to keep Scotland moving," Mr Brown said. "We acknowledge there are lessons to be learned and we need to communicate better our advice to the travelling public; I am working hard with my Government colleagues to ensure we do just that.
"I have met a range of agencies, all involved in the task to ensure we are as prepared as we can be to respond to the forecasted change of weather.
"All those involved know we must be ready and are straining every sinew to be prepared."
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Jim McGill