Overview
- The Met Office issued a rare red wind warning for the Isles of Scilly and Cornwall alongside amber and yellow alerts, forecasting violent gusts near 100mph and heavy snow across Wales, the Midlands and northern England.
- More than 250 schools are closed in northern Scotland on Friday, including over 150 in Aberdeenshire, with additional widespread closures reported across Wales and English counties such as Powys, Worcestershire and the West Midlands.
- Aberdeenshire Council reported up to 204 local school closures and continued to publish updated lists as deep snow and drifting kept many smaller roads difficult.
- Transport disruption continues as a section of the A74(M) reopened after multiple icy collisions, rail lines were cleared and brought back into service, and Birmingham Airport worked to clear snow with passengers urged to check flight status.
- The Department for Education advises schools to switch to remote learning during weather closures, and Scottish ministers caution that impacts will continue in the coming days.