Highland Council Winter Road Conditions Report - Thursday 19 January 2023

19th January 2023

Maps of the Council's gritting routes by priority and policy are available online at www.highland.gov.uk/gritting.

The information provided is a summary of reports from operational staff and is intended to give a general indication of typical conditions in each area at a point in time. It is not intended to imply that any individual route is entirely snow and ice free and drivers must be aware that conditions can change rapidly and make their own assessment of conditions for travelling.

Road condition reports for Thursday 19 January 2023 are as follows:

Ross and Cromarty East (as at 09:06): An inch of fresh snow through the night with ongoing rain, sleet, and snow showers along with negative road temperatures forecast for the first half of this morning. Drifting snow causing some problems especially between Rosemarkie and Cromarty. All routes being treated. Caution advised on any any untreated surfaces.

Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh (as at 09:06): As of 9am this morning the Bealach na Bà in Wester Ross is closed due to high winds and drifting snow. An assessment will be made later in the day to establish whether or not it is safe to open. A fair bit of snow and slush across the network this morning. The Fain has drifting snow. Ledmore to Ullapool is in good order. The A890 is passable. The Mam Rattagan is in good order too. All routes are being treated and there were no reported overnight issues.

Lochaber (as at 08:22): Cold road surface temperatures overnight. Light snow with 1 inch over high ground and a dusting at lower levels. Treatments continuing by priority however some minor roads are very icy and driver caution is advised. No issues reported overnight.

Caithness (as at 09:01): Good snow showers first thing turning to slush up to 2 to 3 inches in areas. All routes being gritted and bladed. Treatment ongoing. No overnight issues reported.

Badenoch and Strathspey (as at 07:47): No snow overnight. Negative temperatures throughout the area with compacted snow on routes. All routes to be treated by blading and gritting. Primary and secondary routes to be given priority. No known overnight issues.

Nairn (as at 07:44): Fresh drop of snow on the higher routes overnight, about 2cm. Frosty and icy patches on lower routes. All routes to be treated today with priority given to primary and secondary routes. no known overnight issues.

Inverness (as at 06:42): 1 inch of snow cover from overnight showers on low roads and main high roads with the fresh covering on top of old hard packed/frozen snow on high side roads. Gritters heading out on all routes.

Sutherland (as at 08:25): A lot of slush on most routes. Blading off well. Up to 4 inches of snow and slight drifting on the high ground. Inland around Crask up to 8 inches. All routes being treated according to Council policy. Secondary routes treated as resources permit. No known overnight issues.

Skye and Raasay (as at 08:28): Very cold night with road surface temperatures well below zero. Light dusting of new snow with up to 1 inch on higher ground. Widespread icy patches. Treatment currently ongoing on Primary and Secondary Routes.

School closures

A number of schools are closed this morning due to adverse weather.

The school closures page on the Council's website at: https://www.highland.gov.uk/schoolclosures is updated from 7am and cleared each evening by 6pm.

Get alerts of closures on Highland Council’s Twitter and Facebook. Or phone 0800 564 2272 to get the latest pre-recorded message from head teachers regarding their school. Have the school's PIN ready when you call.