Winter weather update 7.3.23
The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for snow and ice until 6pm on Friday.
We are already seeing significant snowfall across Aberdeenshire, particularly in our more rural areas which is making for hazardous driving conditions.
Roads
We were actively preparing for the significant snowfall last night with our Roads teams treating all 32 priority routes from 4pm. They were back out again at 5am this morning and will begin treatment of the secondary routes and footways as local conditions and resources allow. Our contract farmers will also play a role in getting snow cleared on the more rural routes and smaller roads. Please be aware we cannot treat every route and footway - so please take care. We would urge that people do not travel today unless it is absolutely essential. Many roads are affected including closure of the A93 Braemar, A939 Cock Bridge and B974 Cairn O'Mount.
Schools
Many schools are closed, had delayed openings or transport changes. Schools are reviewing the weather warning and local weather forecasts to inform any local decision-making and related actions. Parents and carers can check school closures but as usual, any closures or changes will also be communicated directly by the child's school. An earlier issue with the school closure page on our website has been resolved.
Waste services
Inverurie – All collection routes now out but initially concentrating on the villages
Ellon – All routes now out but sticking to the towns/villages just now
Banchory – All routes now out but sticking to the towns/villages just now
Stonehaven – All routes out but some parts of country runs may be missed
Mintlaw – Routes are all out but there is a lot of snow in some areas so they may not get all routes completed
Macduff – All routes are out but quite a lot of snow in some areas so they may not get all routes completed
Due to the current weather conditions Stonehaven Recycling Centre has a delayed opening time to allow for the site staff to clear the site to ensure it is safe to open to customers. The site will open at 11am today. Any bookings which have been made for this morning between 9am and 11am have been cancelled and customers notified by email.
Transportation
Our 10.20am & 12.20pm Turriff Town timetabled service today will not be operating due to the weather.
Ready2Go Around Inverurie has been suspended this morning until 10.30am when a decision will be taken about when/if to start operating today – and will only operate via main roads.
Community resilience
Every household in Aberdeenshire recently received a ‘Ready for Winter’ leaflet which provides some simple tips on how you can improve your personal or household resilience – now’s the time to look it out and Be Prepared. You can also download it here: Ready for Winter
Ready Scotland also has a list of tips to stay safe in the forecasted snowy weather:
✅ Stay up to date with the latest forecasts and information about traffic and public transport
✅ If it is essential that you travel, allowing extra time and packing jump leads, food and drink, winter clothes, a fully charged mobile phone and a shovel
✅ Travel delays are expected on roads, with cancellations likely across public transport. Follow any travel warnings. Non-essential travel can result in very serious incidents.
✅ Take extra care when cycling, walking or driving. Leave a safe distance when driving - your stopping distance is increased by 10 times in snow and ice
✅ Having grit and a shovel ready to clear your paths
✅ Keeping a supply of food essentials for family and pets
✅ Having a backup form of heating and keeping batteries and torches to hand
✅ Safely checking if neighbours or vulnerable people need any help.
✅ And don’t forget to check your tyres
For more information and handy tips go to Ready Scotland
Handy phone numbers:
Power outages – via SSEN on 105
Non-urgent medical issues – via NHS on 111
Emergency council housing repairs - 03456 08 12 03
Emergency social care 03456 08 12 06