Wintry conditions sweep Scotland after Storm Ciara
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Traffic Scotland
Wintry conditions are sweeping across Scotland in the wake of Storm Ciara which battered the UK over the weekend.
The Met Office has issued yellow warnings for wind and snow for most of Scotland and said commuters could face disruption.
Blizzard conditions are affecting some higher routes and drivers have been advised to take extra care.
Cross-border train services have been severely disrupted as a result of heavy flooding on the line at Carlisle.
Many ferry services have also been cancelled and some bridges have been closed to high-sided vehicles.
Commuters faced difficult journeys across Scotland, with blizzard conditions reported on the M74 at Beattock.
The motorway has now been closed northbound between junctions seven and eight after a "multi-vehicle crash", Scotland TranServ said.
How is the wintry weather affecting Scotland?
- Wintry conditions on A82, A835, A93 and A87
- Dornoch bridge closed to high-sided vehicles and Tay Road bridge closed to double-deckers
- Transpennine Express is advising people not to travel on its cross-border trains due to flooding at Carlisle
- Buses are replacing trains on the West Coast mainline between Glasgow and Carlisle
- ScotRail says weather is affecting services on The West Highland Line, and between Inverness-Kyle, Dumfries-Carlisle, and Airdrie-Balloch
- Many ferry services are cancelled
- Forecasters say up to 20cm (8in) of snow could fall in next two days
- A total of 51 flood warnings are in place across Scotland
The Met Office warnings are in place from midnight on Sunday until midnight on Tuesday.
A separate yellow warning for snow and ice will then come into effect until midday on Wednesday.
Met Office meteorologist Alex Burkill said: "While Storm Ciara is clearing away, that doesn't mean we're entering a quieter period of weather.
"It's going to stay very unsettled.
"We have got colder air coming through the UK and will be feeling a real drop in temperatures, with an increased risk of snow in northern parts of the UK and likely in Scotland.
"There could be up to 20cm (8in) on Monday and Tuesday and with strong winds, blizzards aren't out of the question."
Named by the Met Office on Wednesday, Storm Ciara tracked eastwards across the UK and Ireland over the weekend.
The storm brought wind speeds in excess of 80mph, while heavy rain led to flooding and damage to property over the weekend.
In the Scottish Borders the front of a guest house collapsed in Hawick after the building's foundations were swept away by the River Teviot.
Police said no-one was injured in the incident and a cordon had been placed around the building.
Nigel Goody, of the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (Sepa), to BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland, that the flood risk situation was improving.
He said Storm Ciara had brought a dangerous combination of high tides, high storm surges and high inshore waves across coastal areas.
But he added: "Things are now turning more wintry, they're also turning more showery thankfully. But those showers will be frequent and they will be mostly of snow on high ground. The rivers are not expected to respond greatly at this stage."
A response team has been set up at the Traffic Scotland National Control Centre in South Queensferry for the duration of the warnings to monitor conditions.
ScotRail said it was expecting further disruption as it continued to monitor the weather situation and the company has asked passengers to plan ahead and consider the forecast before travelling.
A spokeswoman said: "We are doing all we can to keep our customers moving during some very challenging conditions.
"We ask that customers keep an eye on our website, app or twitter feed for live updates."
YellowSevere weather possible, plan ahead, travel may be disrupted
AmberIncreased likelihood of impact, eg travel delays, power cuts
RedDangerous weather expected - take action to keep safe
SP Energy Networks said it took almost 4,000 calls on Sunday during Storm Ciara and said it was working to restore all lost power.
Electricity was restored to 2,000 homes, with 900 still waiting to be reconnected.
However, some areas were unreachable due to flooding and staff were unable to climb some poles and pylons to due to high winds.
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