Storm Dave is expected to cause travel disruption this Easter weekend, with warnings for heavy snow and gale-force winds issued across northern parts of the UK, but a reprieve from the cold snap could be on the way, with temperatures forecast to reach the mid-20s next week.
The Met Office has issued a yellow severe weather warning in Scotland for heavy snow and blizzards causing some travel and power disruption. Up to 30 centimetres of snow could fall. However, the forecast is expected to clear through Sunday, “leaving sunshine and widespread showers across the UK,” the Met Office said.
An amber wind alert for parts of northern England, north-west Wales and southern Scotland was lifted at 3am. Two yellow wind alerts remain in place until noon for parts of northern England and Scotland, while a third alert for Wales will lift at 7am.
Those travelling over the Easter weekend have been told there could be disruption on the roads as well as on rail, air and ferry services.
Greg Dewhurst, a Met Office meteorologist, said: “There is cold air across Scotland at the moment and, as the rain pushes across this afternoon, it is going to turn to snow. We’ll see heavy snow forming across parts of the Highlands as we go through the rest of the afternoon into the evening time and early hours. As much as 20 to 30 centimetres could fall over the higher ground, and five to 10 centimetres over lower ground.”
In the early hours of Sunday, Traffic Scotland warned that several major bridges had restrictions in place because of strong winds, including the Queensferry Crossing on the M90, which connects Edinburgh with Fife and the nearby Forth Road Bridge.
The Humber Bridge in Yorkshire was closed in both directions to high-sided and vulnerable vehicles early on Sunday due to strong winds, National Highways reported.
Elsewhere, ScotRail confirmed emergency speed restrictions would be implemented across parts of its network, resulting in longer travel times.
Temperatures are expected to rise after Easter Monday as warmer air comes in from Europe, according to Dewhurst, with “temperatures rising to the low 20s, with highs around 20C or 21C on Tuesday, and possibly 23C or 24C come Wednesday”.
He said mid-20s temperatures were normal for April as the sun started getting stronger.
Scotland’s first minister, John Swinney, urged people to follow advice from authorities. He told PA Media: “The weather warnings are issued when we have information that suggests there will be challenging conditions, and we think we’ll have those challenging conditions later on today.
“So my advice to members of the public would be to follow all of the advice that’s available and to make sure they stay safe.”
The RAC predicted it would be the busiest Easter on the roads since 2022. The travel trade organisation Abta has estimated that 2 million people from the UK will travel abroad between Good Friday and Easter Monday.
Those driving in Scotland have been urged to check their journeys before setting off.
Network Rail Scotland said the worst affected lines would be on the Ayrshire coast, the east coast mainline and in the north-east.
