Highland Road Conditions Report – Friday 19 January 2024
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.
Maps of the Council’s gritting routes by priority and policy are available online at www.highland.gov.uk/gritting.
Highland Road Conditions Report for Friday 19 January 2024 are as follows:
Badenoch and Strathspey
07:48 - The B9007 from Dunearn to Carrbridge will remain closed over the weekend due to snow drifts. Snow across the network this morning with negative temperatures. All resources are deployed and all routes are being treated. More snow and low temperatures are forecast for throughout the day and evening . Caution advised on all roads and footpaths across the area.
Nairn
07:44 - Two to three inches of snow cover on low roads, six to seven inches cover on higher routes. All resources are out treating all routes including footpaths. Surface water is also affecting roads so drivers are advised to travel with care.
Skye and Raasay
08:50 - Sleet and snow showers overnight turning to rain, although road surface temperatures remain below zero. Treatment currently ongoing on Primary and Secondary routes. Thereafter team will continue onto other untreated routes as resources allow.
Sutherland
09:25 - The A897 between Helmsdale and Melvich remains closed. Gritter made it through, but six foot snow drifts and no passing places. The A836 between Lairg and Tongue remains closed. Gritters made it through but long sections have six foot snow drifts and no passing places. The A838 Mhoine between Tongue and Durness remains closed. Crews are on site and will advise later today if it can be re-opened. The A836 Bettyhill to Melvich road has now re-opened. Passable with care. The A836 Tongue to Bettyhill road has now re-opened. Passable with care. Snowfall now stopped and turning to rain. All roads affected by slush and wet snow which crews are currently clearing. Work is progressing to get through the areas of road closures, but some time will be required before they are fit to reopen. *Update 11:57am - The A838 Durness to Tongue road has re-opened and is passable with care. And the A836 Tongue to Melvich Road is now open. *Update 13:56 - A836 Lairg to Tongue Road has now reopened. *Update 14:03 - Road teams are currently working on the A897 Helmsdale to Melvich Road to create passing places. It is anticipated this road may be open by late afternoon. The B9176 Struie Road remains closed. It will be reassessed later today. *Update 14:01 - The B9176 Struie Road remains closed but work is continuing and crews are hoping it may re-open by late afternoon. *Update 16:34 - The A897 Helmsdale to Melvich Road has just re-opened, as has the B9176 Struie Road. All road closures in Sutherland have now been lifted.
Easter Ross
07:54 - Depending on elevation, anywhere from two to six inches of fresh snow fell through the night. Temperatures are a little higher today and snow is softening and beginning to thaw. Conditions are still tricky though and care should be taken.
Lochaber
10:34 - All primary routes treated. Fresh snow overnight on most routes. Thaw and rising temperatures now affecting routes. All side routes being treated.
Inverness
07:04 - Two to three inches of snow cover on low roads, four to five inches of snow cover on higher routes. Gritters out on all routes blading and treating.
Wester Ross
08:12 - The A832 Braemore to Dundonnel snow gates are now open. About six to seven inch snowfall last night in places. All routes being treated and checked. Most routes turning to sleet and rain. Higher ground still affected but thawing quite well.
Caithness
08:24 - Main routes being opened first thing this morning. All passable with caution. Tractors and diggers working on areas worst affected by drifting to widen routes to double carriageway. Priority 2 and 3 routes will be looked at when main priority routes are treated. Priority footpaths being treated in Wick and Thurso. No issues reported. The U3618 Newton Row between the A882 Thurso Road and U3616 Newton Avenue in Wick is closed until further notice. This is due to a gas leak.
At the time of issue, there are a number of schools or nurseries closed today as a result of bad weather. Our school closure webpage is updated from 8am and cleared by 6pm each evening.
A Met Office Yellow warning for Snow and Ice remains for much of Highland today. Information on weather warnings are available on the Met Office website.
Follow our social media channels to keep up-to-date with all Highland Council road issues today - @HighlandCouncil
For information on Trunk Roads follow @trafficscotland or visit https://www.traffic.gov.scot/
A836 at Borgie
The A836 at East May, Caithness