Ice, lightning and gales up to the weekend
10 January 2017
Severe weather is set to affect the Western Isles through until Friday highlights the Met Office as it updates a series of weather warnings.
The latest forecasts of bitterly cold winds sweeping down from the Arctic have firmed up predictions of strong winds, ice, snow and lightning.
A storm will batter the Hebrides overnight with gusts of to 70 mph or more likely in the early hours of Wednesday.
Thundery wintry or hail showers may accompany strong winds over the day while the risk of lightning hitting the electricity network has the potential to cause power cuts.
The Met Office said by evening several centimetres of snow will begin to accumulate away from western coasts, especially over higher ground.
On Thursday, heavy, squally wintry showers are forecast across much of Scotland including the islands. Many of the showers will fall as snow away from western coasts, with ice, hail and lightning posing additional hazards.
Up to 20 cm of snow may accumulate over some higher ground during the day, with drifting
and blizzard conditions at times. Several centimetres of snow may affect some lower-
Road and rail services may be affected with delays and cancellations possible. People should expect longer journey times.
Ice, lightning and strong winds will continue to pose additional hazards said the Met Office.