The northeast of Scotland has been plunged into chaos as severe winter weather batters the region, bringing widespread disruption to transport, daily life, and even some of the country’s most cherished winter attractions. The Met Office’s amber weather warning for snow, in effect from midday on Friday, January 2, 2026, through noon on Saturday, has left residents and officials scrambling to cope with deepening snowdrifts, hazardous roads, and mounting travel delays. And with the yellow warning for snow and ice stretching out until midnight on Monday, January 5, the region is bracing for a prolonged cold snap with no immediate end in sight.
According to The Scotsman, continuous snowfall across northern Scotland on Friday led to the closure of at least three major routes in Aberdeenshire and one in the Highlands, as snow accumulations reached up to 30 centimeters on the highest roads. The Met Office’s warning makes it clear: heavy snow showers will become more frequent, merging into longer spells of snow. Low-lying areas could see 10–20 centimeters, while higher ground faces the daunting prospect of 30–40 centimeters, all whipped about by strong winds that could create temporary blizzard conditions.
Travelers and commuters are feeling the brunt of the storm. Police Scotland has been emphatic in its advice, with Chief Superintendent Scott McCarren, Head of Road Policing, urging, “The forecasted heavy and persistent snow showers and ice mean it is likely for driving conditions to become hazardous in some areas and our advice is to plan ahead and consider if your journey is really necessary during the warning periods. If you need to travel, please drive to the conditions, be prepared for delays and allow extra time for your journey. Please don’t drive through road closures, the decision to close roads is not taken lightly and is done for public safety.”
That warning proved prescient as the A952 at Mintlaw was closed in both directions on Friday evening after a bus veered off the road, as reported by Traffic Scotland. Earlier in the day, a crash on the A90 dual carriageway at Keithock near Brechin prompted another full closure to allow for vehicle recovery. Police and road authorities have repeatedly urged drivers not to ignore road closure signs and to avoid unnecessary journeys, especially as congestion could impede emergency services’ ability to respond.
The impact has rippled through every mode of transport. Aberdeen Airport has been a focal point of disruption, with at least ten flights cancelled or delayed on Friday alone, according to Aberdeen Live and The Scotsman. Flights to major destinations such as Amsterdam, Dublin, London, and Norwich were grounded, and passengers were left scrambling for alternatives. The chaos reached new heights when Widerøe’s WF392 flight from Bergen to Aberdeen was forced to turn back mid-air, unable to land due to the snow-clogged runway. A spokesperson for Widerøe explained, “Widerøe’s flight WF392 from Bergen to Aberdeen had to return to Bergen today due to heavy snowfall in Aberdeen. The runway at Aberdeen Airport was not well cleared of snow for a safe landing. While the aircraft was waiting in a holding pattern for conditions to improve, the airport was unable to prepare a runway with adequate braking conditions. As a result, the decision was made to return to Bergen. All passengers travelling from Bergen to Aberdeen, as well as those booked on the return flight from Aberdeen to Bergen, are being rebooked on later departures today. We apologize for the delays caused.”
Aberdeen Airport’s teams have been working around the clock to keep the airfield operational, with a spokesperson stating, “The airfield is currently operational and our teams will continue to work to clear snow and de-ice the airfield throughout the day. We would advise passengers to check the status of their flight with their airline and to take extra care when travelling to the airport.” Yet, the ongoing snowfall and rapidly changing conditions have made it an uphill battle.
Rail and sea travel have not been spared. ScotRail halted trains between Georgemas and Thurso in Caithness due to heavy snow, and Network Rail Scotland said it was closely monitoring other routes. CalMac ferries cancelled or disrupted several sailings, including the Stornoway-Ullapool route and the Mallaig-Lochboisdale-Oban service, the latter due to both weather and a defect in the hull of its ferry. Even lorry transport on some sailings was suspended due to sea swell, compounding the transport woes.
Meanwhile, local authorities are pulling out all the stops to keep communities safe and connected. Aberdeen City Council reported “continuous gritting of the primary routes” throughout Friday, with snow plough attachments fitted to gritters to tackle the heaviest accumulations. The council urged residents to check on vulnerable neighbors, consider salting local roads and pavements, and to “look after each other.” The council emphasized, “We are continuously gritting the primary routes today. The primary routes are about 50 per cent of the city’s roads network and these are the highest priority to keep running.”
Snow gates on the A93 Braemar-Glenshee, A939 Tomintoul-Cockbridge, B974 Cairn O’Mount-Fettercairn, and Bealach na Ba were shut on Friday morning, effectively cutting off several communities and popular routes. Difficult driving conditions and delays were also reported on the A96 Inverness-Aberdeen road near Keith and Fochabers, with Amey, the trunk road maintenance contractor, echoing warnings of hazardous travel.
For those living in rural or isolated areas, the prospect of being cut off is very real. The Met Office and Scottish Environment Protection Agency have both provided emergency contact information for power outages, water supply issues, and flooding, urging residents to plan ahead and keep essentials at hand. Scottish and Southern Energy Networks said it had “additional resources” on standby but had not seen an increase in faults so far—a small mercy amid the storm.
Despite the disruption, the wintry blast has brought a silver lining for Scotland’s snowsport enthusiasts. The Cairngorm Mountain snowsports centre near Aviemore reported, “The beginners’ area is in great condition. [Artificial] snowmaking will continue as we work to increase the size of the slope. Still waiting on more snow to come through but looking promising for the weekend.” Glencoe Mountain managed to operate two of its eight lifts, while The Lecht and Glenshee centres were closed due to access road closures. For families and visitors, the snow has turned parts of the Highlands and Aberdeenshire into a winter playground, with scenes of sledging and skiing brightening an otherwise bleak forecast.
As the region hunkers down for what could be several more days of severe weather, the message from authorities is clear: plan ahead, stay informed, and above all, put safety first. With temperatures expected to plunge as low as -11°C in some areas by early next week, and with more snow on the way, northeast Scotland faces a tough start to the new year—one marked by resilience, neighborly care, and the enduring hope that calmer skies will soon return.
