Storm Dave Expected to Impact Scotland with Severe Weather
Storm Dave is forecast to bring blizzards and strong winds to extensive areas of Scotland during the Easter weekend.
The Met Office has issued a yellow wind warning covering mainland Scotland, with snow anticipated in the west Highlands, Argyll, and the Western Isles.
Power company SSEN has indicated that gusts could reach up to 100 mph in parts of the Western Isles and Skye. The high winds are also expected to affect Orkney and Shetland on Sunday.
Forecasters have cautioned that Storm Dave may also cause damage in Northern Ireland as well as regions of England and Wales.
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (Rospa) has highlighted the potential for disruption to travel during the busy Easter period.
Rebecca Guy, Senior Policy Manager at Rospa, said: "Millions of people are expected to be on the move over the holiday, so we're urging drivers to plan ahead.
"Anyone travelling should take extra care on the roads. The combination of strong winds and periods of heavy rain will make driving conditions challenging."
SSEN stated that it has "well-rehearsed" plans in place to manage any damage to its electricity network.
The company added: "The Western Isles, Skye and the Highlands are the areas current weather forecasts indicate will be most at risk on Saturday and Sunday.
"Gusts could surpass 100 mph over Skye and the Western Isles on Saturday evening.
"We also expect there to be a high risk of disruptive conditions in Orkney, Shetland and the north east during Sunday."
The Met Office has issued a wind warning for much of Scotland from 18:00 on Saturday to midday on Sunday.
A separate wind warning covering southern Scotland is in effect from 17:00 Saturday to 07:00 Sunday.
A Met Office spokesperson said: "A rapidly deepening area of low pressure, Storm Dave, is likely to move north-eastwards close to or across north-western parts of the UK during Saturday evening and night, clearing to the North Sea by Sunday."
It was added: "Peak gusts of 50-60 mph will be possible fairly widely, with 60-70 mph in more exposed locations.
"Large waves may lead to some dangerous conditions around windward coasts."
Snowfall Forecast for Easter Weekend
A yellow weather warning for snow has been issued from 15:00 on Saturday to 03:00 on Sunday.
The Met Office reported that rain during Saturday afternoon is likely to change to sleet and snow over hills across central and north-west Scotland.
It stated: "During the evening snow may turn heavier and as winds increase, blizzard conditions with drifting and blowing snow likely to lead to very poor visibility across the hills and mountains of the northwest of Scotland."
Forecasters noted that accumulating snow on roads will mainly occur in areas above 656 feet (200 meters), with up to 4 inches (10 cm) possible and a small chance of up to 8 inches (20 cm).
The weather is expected to clear later on Sunday.
