Snow and ice force roads to close

STAGGERING towers of snow and icy conditions are still forcing roads to close in some of the more remote areas of the Grampian region.

And weather forecasters today warned we may not have seen the last of the snow just yet.

At the Lecht, the road may be clear to traffic but the 10ft-high mounds of snow still loom large over the passing traffic.

Paul DuPon, managing director of the Lecht Ski Centre, said: “There is still an awful lot of snow outside and along the road sides. It is about 10ft (3m) high in places.”

Grampian Police have warned motorists the B974 Banchory to Fettercairn road would remain closed until further notice, while repair works were carried out to the Spittal Burn Bridge.

The Spittal Burn bridge suffered extensive surface damage following the heavy snow, which hit the region two weeks ago.

The B976 Crathie to Gairnshiel road and the A939 Ballater to Corgarff road were also shut due to drifting snow.

The snowy images may surprise Aberdeen residents who were enjoying warmer temperatures.

Experts said the milder weather in Aberdeen was due to last more than a week.

A Met Office forecaster said: “An increase in thicker cloud will mean temperatures will stay higher than recent cold temperatures with highs of 8C (14F) in the next few days.”

And a forecaster for AccuWeather said he would not rule out further snowfall for the Grampian region.

“It’s too early to predict the weather for the summer, there is the possibility of further snow showers.”

rennie@ajl.co.uk