Scotland is bracing for a significant spell of wintry weather, with the Met Office issuing a flurry of yellow weather warnings for snow and ice from Monday, November 17, 2025, through Thursday, November 20, 2025. For many Scots, the coming days will bring the first true taste of winter this season, as forecasters warn of travel disruption, hazardous roads, and the potential for substantial snowfall, particularly in the north and on higher ground.
According to STV News, yellow alerts for ice come into force at 7pm on Monday, initially covering northern parts of mainland Scotland. The warnings are just the beginning of a series of advisories set to roll out across the country. A snow warning will follow from 3am on Tuesday, in effect north of Stirling, with further ice warnings starting at 5am on Tuesday, blanketing inland areas over the central belt and south of the country. The Met Office has also issued a combined snow and ice warning that will cover most of the mainland, the Hebrides, Orkney, and Shetland from 6pm on Tuesday through 9pm on Thursday.
The forecast spells trouble for travelers and commuters, with frequent snow showers expected from late Tuesday through Wednesday and Thursday, likely leading to disruption. The public has been strongly advised to take care, as icy patches are anticipated on untreated roads, pavements, and cycle paths. As the Met Office cautioned, "Keep yourself and your family safe when it is icy. Plan to leave the house at least five minutes earlier than normal. Not needing to rush, reduces your risk of accidents, slips, and falls." They also recommend using main roads for walking or cycling, as these are more likely to have been treated, and checking road conditions or public transport timetables before setting out.
The cold snap comes on the heels of the coldest night since March, recorded on Saturday, November 15, when temperatures plummeted to minus 7C in Tulloch Bridge in the Highlands. The chill is expected to persist, with overnight lows around -2C forecast for towns such as Banchory, Alford, and Dufftown, as reported by The Press and Journal. Residents in Royal Deeside and across north and north-east Scotland have been told to prepare for snow and ice, with warnings covering Aberdeenshire, Moray, and the Highlands.
The wintry weather is being driven by a band of rain set to hit the west of Scotland early on Tuesday. As this rain moves inland, it is expected to turn to snow over higher ground. Chief Forecaster Paul Gundersen, quoted by The Scottish Sun, explained, "Scattered showers feed into the northeast and far north of mainland Scotland on Monday night, bringing a risk of icy conditions on roads and pavements. An area of rain will reach the west of Scotland early on Tuesday morning, with a risk of this turning to snow as it moves inland. Whilst there is some uncertainty as to the exact track and extent, a period of snow is likely over high ground, with accumulations of 2-5 cm possible above about 150 metres in elevation, and as much as 5-10 cm above 400 metres. This period of snow could bring some disruption to travel and infrastructure across higher parts of Scotland."
The snow warning is widespread above the Central Belt, stretching from Perthshire to the north Highlands, and from Aberdeenshire in the east across to Argyll & Bute on the west coast. The snow will predominantly impact those on higher ground, with between 2-5cm expected above about 150 metres elevation, and up to 10cm—possibly even as much as 20cm in the highest areas—according to The Scottish Sun and The Press and Journal. Coastal areas are not expected to see much, if any, snow.
Meanwhile, a separate ice warning is in place starting at 7pm on Monday, lasting until 10am on Tuesday, covering parts of the far north around Sutherland, as well as Aberdeenshire, Moray, and the Highlands. These warnings are brought on by overnight showers and low temperatures, increasing the risk of ice patches on untreated roads and pavements. The Met Office has specifically reminded people to be cautious on icy surfaces, warning of the risk of injuries from slips and falls, and highlighting the potential for difficult driving conditions.
As the week progresses, a new snow and ice warning takes effect from 6pm on Tuesday until 9pm on Thursday. This alert anticipates heavier snow flurries, with as much as 10cm expected widely and up to 20cm possible in the highest areas, particularly in the northeast and far north of the mainland. Not only snow, but also gale-force winds and lightning are forecast, adding further hazards for those traveling or venturing outdoors. The Met Office’s advisory notes, "Snow showers will feed inland on brisk northerly winds from late Tuesday through Wednesday and into Thursday, giving significant accumulations in places. Whilst there will be a lot of regional variation in amounts, where showers are most frequent two to five cm will be possible at low levels, with five to 10 cm on hills above about 100m elevation, and potentially as much as 15 to 20 cm above 300m."
Communities across Scotland are being urged to take these warnings seriously. The areas impacted by the various warnings include Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Moray, the Highlands, Perthshire, Stirling, Angus, Perth and Kinross, Argyll and Bute, Orkney, and Shetland. In Royal Deeside and towns such as Banchory and Alford, residents are already bracing for the cold, with the first snow of the season reported in Inverness on Friday, November 14. Social media was quickly filled with images of white roads and pavements, signaling winter’s early arrival in the Highlands.
Motorists are being advised to take extra care, as wintry weather can cause delays and make driving conditions treacherous. The Met Office’s warnings repeatedly stress the likelihood of difficult driving conditions, especially on untreated surfaces and in areas of higher elevation. Public transport may also be affected, with the potential for delays or cancellations as snow and ice accumulate.
For those living in the affected regions, the message is clear: plan ahead, stay informed, and take precautions. As the Met Office summed up, "Give yourself the best chance of avoiding delays by checking road conditions if driving, or bus and train timetables, amending your travel plans if necessary." With the weather set to worsen before it improves, Scots are being encouraged to look out for one another and exercise patience as winter asserts itself across the country.
With multiple warnings in place and a mix of snow, ice, and strong winds expected, Scotland’s first major winter blast of the season looks set to test the country’s resilience. As always, keeping a close eye on official updates and heeding advice could make all the difference in staying safe and minimizing disruption during the coming days.
