Storm Dave is anticipated to disrupt travel during this Easter weekend, with alerts for significant snowfall and strong winds issued for northern regions of the UK. However, a warm-up is expected next week, with temperatures projected to rise into the mid-20s.
The Met Office has released a yellow severe weather warning for Scotland due to potential heavy snowfall and blizzard conditions, which may lead to travel and power interruptions. Snow accumulation could reach up to 30 centimeters in some areas. The forecast suggests improvement by Sunday, with sunshine and widespread showers expected across the UK, according to the Met Office.
An amber wind warning affecting portions of northern England, northwestern Wales, and southern Scotland was lifted at 3 AM. Meanwhile, two yellow wind warnings remain in effect until noon for certain areas in northern England and Scotland, with a third alert for Wales set to expire at 7 AM.
Travelers during the Easter holiday weekend have been cautioned about potential disruptions on roads, as well as rail, air, and ferry services.
Greg Dewhurst, a meteorologist with the Met Office, stated, “Cold air is currently present over Scotland, and as rain moves in this afternoon, it will transition to snow. We expect significant snowfall in parts of the Highlands this afternoon, continuing into the evening and early morning hours. Up to 30 centimeters could accumulate in higher areas, with 5 to 10 centimeters in lower regions.”
In the early hours of Sunday, Traffic Scotland announced that multiple major bridges, including the Queensferry Crossing on the M90—which connects Edinburgh to Fife—were under restrictions due to high winds. Additionally, the Humber Bridge in Yorkshire was closed to high-sided and vulnerable vehicles in both directions due to strong gusts, as reported by National Highways.
In other news, ScotRail indicated that emergency speed restrictions would be enacted across parts of its network, causing longer travel times for passengers.
Following Easter Monday, temperatures are expected to rise as warmer air flows in from Europe, according to Dewhurst, who mentioned that “temperatures could reach the low 20s, with highs around 20°C or 21°C on Tuesday, and possibly 23°C or 24°C by Wednesday.” He noted that such mid-20s temperatures are typical for April as the sun’s intensity increases.
John Swinney, Scotland’s First Minister, urged the public to heed advice from authorities. He stated to PA Media, “Weather warnings are issued based on information indicating challenging conditions, which we expect to encounter later today. Therefore, my recommendation to the public is to follow all available advice and prioritize safety.”
The RAC forecasts that this Easter will see the highest traffic levels since 2022. The travel organization Abta estimates that around 2 million individuals from the UK will travel abroad between Good Friday and Easter Monday.
Drivers in Scotland have been advised to verify their travel plans before departing, with Network Rail Scotland indicating that the areas most affected will include the Ayrshire coast, the east coast mainline, and northeastern routes.
