London to Scotland on Saturday, snow?

[greggster]

Hi all, I'm meant to be driving to the highlands near Elgin on Saturday and the forecast looks bad. I don't have much scope to change the date so I'm looking for any local info for my route as the week progresses into the Thursday and Friday forecasted snow.

My route will be M40, M6, M78, A9 etc. I have the ML and chains but I don't want to really get into the situation of having to use the chains as that will probably mean huge delays if I'm trying to do the final 200 odd miles in snow!

All local knowledge throughout the week will be really appreciated as it's going to be a tough call to make whether to leave sunny London on Saturday.

Thanks

 

[st4]

Check the metoffice and transport scotland for details. Further snow is expected in Glasgow and west on Thursday/ Friday. I suspect they'll be awaiting with Ploughs and grit on the roads.

Best thing, check metoffice, road websites before leaving to get an Idea.

I think you will get to Glasgow ok and the M40, M6, M74 will be ok. Its a helluva long drive.

 

[SilverSaloon]

if the snow is going to be anything like last couple of weeks i'd try to put it off, especially if you've got to make a return trip soon after....

but if you do have to go, then like *** says, check the met office and travel scotland websites for info.

maybe get some snow tyres fitted beforehand? it may save your bacon if the snow comes down like it did last time

 

[toolman1954]

Hi, I did Northampton to Fife on Friday and all roads ok M1, M6, A74, M74, A8/M8 (then just reopened) Forth Road Bridge, A92 into Fife to Leven and took me 7 hours.. G/F brother lives in Dufftown next to Elgin and he said roads there now were passable. Just been to Dundee today and roads are fine. We normally go to Dufftown via Dundee and Aberdeen. Providing no more snow, all should be ok. Just ensure you have plenty of water and screen cleaner as the roads are a bit dirty after all the snow.

 

[camerafodder]

I've lived and worked near Dufftown and the snow can get really bad. I'd choose the route to Elgin up the East coast via Aberdeen and then across the top on the A96. The Glens of Foudland might give you some trouble as they often get badly affected by snow but at least that route would be main roads all the way. My normal route would be A9 via Aviemore but this might be a bit tricky if the weather closes in.

 

[flango]

I've lived and worked near Dufftown and the snow can get really bad. I'd choose the route to Elgin up the East coast via Aberdeen and then across the top on the A96. The Glens of Foudland might give you some trouble as they often get badly affected by snow but at least that route would be main roads all the way. My normal route would be A9 via Aviemore but this might be a bit tricky if the weather closes in.

^ That's good advice I worked that area a lot an stayed in Banchory A96 is a much safer routing if it does start to come down.

I will be going to Glasgow in the morning and returning the early hours of Friday morning so can give you a report when I'm back on conditions up to Glasgow

 

[tiger]

Head for Aberdeen, if you gwet stuck at the glens of foundland then head for the coast ie banff, buckie etc as sometimes its a little bit sheltered there. I used to drive Aberdeen to Elgin daily for approx 5 years, and was only stuck and turned back twice. The roads are all 100% clear at the moment up here, but will see what this afternoon/tonight/tomorrow brings!!

 

[grober]

The predominant weather systems would appear to be coming down from the North as opposed the last couple of weeks where they came from the East. This means your route is right in the line of fire.The A9 is often closed at PERTH during bad weather and particularly at nightfall despite the road actually being blocked much further North. The North East "Coastal" route is your best bet since any road at elevated height is more vulnerable. Having said this even a couple of days can make a big difference so it pays to adopt a flexible approach to your journey . Your say you must drive on that date but your choice may turn out to be a) stuck in a hotel overnight or b) stranded in your car on the road in the middle of a snow drift/ queue of vehicles --- but you will be stuck!!! your choice is where.

 

[clk208]

I'm off to Aviemore in a couple of hours, returning Sunday (I hope!).

Heavy snow tomorrow and fri would be good for the ski runs

 

[Bellow]

It's forecast to come down tonight.
I'll tell you what you will encounter over next few days as I am only a few miles from the Glens Of Foudland.
If it's as bad as it can be, chains won't help you - unless they enable you to climb over abandoned artics....

 

[flango]

I once got stuck like that Toyota landcruiser coming back from Scrabster (been to Shetlands) got to where the A9 meets the A99 (Latheron I think) snow really not that bad but road blocked by abandoned artics. All drivers in local community centre. Our choice was community centre or walk 2 miles to a hotel on A99 we walked to the hotel which of course was full and we spent 2 nights kipping in the lounge and queuing for showers in one room before they cleared the road and we were able to get away again.

 

[Bellow]

On top of the snow, gale force winds are predicted - expect blizzards and drifting.
In the cold snap week before last it was minus 22 in Keith and never rose above minus 10 in daytime.
Consider stranded in a drift at those temperatures.

Much better would be a flight into Inverness Airport and have your guests collect you.

If you don't have snow tyres on already, forget it. By the time chains can be fitted and left on, you will then be going into snow deep enough to throw the chains off of summer tyres.
Trust me, I've been there...

 

[greggster]

It's forecast to come down tonight.
I'll tell you what you will encounter over next few days as I am only a few miles from the Glens Of Foudland.
If it's as bad as it can be, chains won't help you - unless they enable you to climb over abandoned artics....

Much appreciated, all of you! As the snow comes down i will be making decisions over the next 48 hours so will be great to get updates. And thats my exact fear - getting stuck behind abandoned traffic - i'm sure i can drive slowly through most conditions but not if the road is blocked.

We can delay by a few days if need be but the weather looks to be set in as far as i can see on the 5 day forecast.

Thanks all, keep 'um coming!

 

[Colin_b]

We get detailed (and expensive) weather forecasts from the met office. In summary,

for the NW England from M6 J30 north to Carlisle or so, from 06:00 Thurs. Rain, starting gently but increasing to patchy moderate by 11:00, then turning to sleet as the temp drops from 3 to 0c. Icing, followed by intermittent snow, with moderate drifting and falling temp to -3 until 20:00. Thereafter patchy snow, again with drifting.

Conditions on high roads - M6 Shap and Cumbria - poor.

If you do go, plan on difficult conditions.

 

[Neiltodd]

Live a few miles on from Bellow so I can keep you posted on the last bit.

 

[Bellow]

Front page of the local evening paper is forecasting 8 days of snow.
Eight days of snow on the way - Evening Express
No sign of it yet though. I'll keep you up to speed on what happens. So far, the wind is all that's noticeable, but combined with snow it magnifies the problems 100 fold.
Maybe nothing will come of it. As usual, I won't know until I look out the window tomorrow morning.
Watch this space...

 

[camerafodder]

The trafficscotland website has some well placed cameras that you can check in real time. We use them a lot when travelling around to telecom sites.

Traffic Scotland > Live-Eye-Views

 

[Druk]

The trafficscotland website has some well placed cameras that you can check in real time. We use them a lot when travelling around to telecom sites.

Traffic Scotland > Live-Eye-Views

Aye. But you'll notice no coverage between J3 on the M8 and Newhouse J6. All the stooshie happened last week between 3a and 5. All went un-noticed except by the traffic patrols eating doughnuts on the bridges. Did they do anything about it? Aye right................

 

[Stratman]

I wonder if a few cases of "Driving without due consideration" brought against artic drivers who abandon their lorries blocking the road would help concentrate the mind?

We have the weather forecasts telling us there will be heavy snow over the next few days. What excuse can they have for setting out without snow tyres or chains?

 

[steve333]

Did a simular journey as yours same time last year from surrey to montrose the weather was bad then.Snow/gales are forecast for surrey tommorrow & heavy snow on saturday,would change your plans if i were you mate as travelling anywhere by road over the next week or so looks like it will be difficult