Six UK areas hit with avalanche warnings as amber ‘hazard’ issued

Multiple warnings have been issued

The warnings have been issued for high ground in the wake of at least two avalanches occurring in the last 48 hours.

The Scottish Avalanche Information Service (SAIS) has issued four yellow "moderate hazard warnings" and two amber "considerable hazard" warnings for parts of the Highlands.

Two of the yellow warnings were issued for the northern and southern parts of the Cairngorms National Park with overnight snowfall and strong winds increasing the chance of 'windslabs' to form.

Another area which has been placed under yellow warning is Glencoe with snow expected overnight and into the day.

A third area, Torridon, in the north west of Scotland, has also been issued a yellow warning too.

The first of the amber warnings is marked for the Lochaber area near Fort William and Ben Nevis with reports of three avalanches already happening in the area.

The SAIS said: “Gale force Southerly winds easing to strong and veering to a south-south-westerly direction.

“Frequent snow showers are expected. The freezing level will rise to around 950m, overnight, lowering to 700, during the day.”

Creag Meagaidh has also been issued an amber warning which reads: "Persistent snowfall throughout the period with rain at lower elevations. Freezing at 900m briefly overnight then at 700m thereafter. Strong south-south-west winds easing to moderate in the early hours.”

These avalanche warnings come ahead of a return of cold weather across the nation, with the Met Office forecasting chillier temperatures for the end of January.

The long range forecast for 19 to 28 January warns of "an increased chance of cold conditions affecting parts of the UK, and the associated risk of wintry hazards at times".

It reads: "Later in the period, there is an increased chance that conditions will turn colder. This aspect of the forecast is still somewhat uncertain but the potential transition to colder weather also increases the chance of snow across parts of the country."

Dan Holley, Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist, said for this week: “A deepening area of low pressure will head north eastwards across the UK on Thursday, bringing heavy rain and potentially strong winds. The exact track of the low is uncertain, so it’s best to keep an eye on the forecast as the week progresses and we firm up on the details.”