Highland Winter Road Conditions Report – Tuesday, 31 December 2024

Amber weather warning

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  

Met Office amber weather warning for rain and snow - A high chance of disruption and difficult travel conditions due to rain and snow. Heavy rain throughout Monday night and Tuesday is likely to cause some property flooding and travel disruption. Please consider if your journey is necessary or if it can be delayed until conditions improve. Stopping distances can be at least double on wet roads compared to dry conditions, and spray can reduce driver visibility. Please drive to the conditions, take extra time for your journey, and find alternative routes if needed.

Highland Road Conditions Report for Tuesday, 31 December 2024 are as follows:    

Inverness (06:03) Positive Road surface temperatures this morning with a lot of surface water on the road network with heavy rain forecast throughout the day. Caution advised throughout. No known issues at this point.

Badenoch and Strathspey (07:10) River levels on the Spey at Aviemore and the River Gynack remain on red flood warning alert and are being closely monitored. A lot of surface water on the road network with heavy rain to come throughout the day. Localised flooding causing problems. Caution advised throughout. No known issues at this point.

Nairn (07:10) Positive Road surface temperatures this morning but a lot of surface water on the road network with heavy rain to come through the day. Localised flooding causing problems. Caution advised throughout. No known issues at this point.

East Ross-shire (08:31) Positive Road temperatures this morning, however snow fall of up to 3-4 inches in areas, turned to slush and being bladed where necessary. Snow melt and further rain forecast causing flooding across the network. Driver caution advised.

Lochaber (08:19) Positive Road surface temperatures and no winter treatments required. All SEPA warnings still in force for Glen Nevis, Loch Lochy to Torcastle & Lochyside. Flood gates are still closed at Lochyside. C1156 Torlundy, Camisky, Brackletter road still closed due to flooding - road will be inspected this morning. Heavy rain overnight, flood patrols on all routes being scheduled this morning. Flooding & surface water will be on some roads - caution advised. No other road issues reported.

Sutherland (08:57) Snow fall up to 3 to 4 inches in the north & west of the county with some drifting up to 1ft in places, all routes been bladed & treated as necessary. Lots of surface water & flooding in the east of the county. The B9176 Struie hill is now open.

Caithness (08:12) Heavy rain and flooding on east side of Caithness this morning, with lots of standing water. Heavy snow on the Thurso side with a couple of inches of wet snow and up to half a foot of snow heading west towards Melvich. Drivers should proceed with caution this morning and allow extra journey time. Treating routes as required and no known overnight action to report.

Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh (07:04) The Moy bridge remains closed, due to high water levels. Lochalsh to Gairloch is very wet and windy – Snow lying from The Fain northwards and across the east. Those routes are all currently getting treated. No overnight issues reported. All treatments are still ongoing, and all roads are open, though care is advised on the snowier sections. The snow has now turned to rain and forecast to continue throughout the day.

Follow our social media channels to keep up-to-date with all Highland Council road issues - X @HighlandCouncil (external link) and Facebook (external link)

Information and flooding advice is available on our website

Information on weather warnings is available on the Met Office website (external link)

For information on Trunk Roads follow @trafficscotland (external link)

For information on power cuts, visit SSEN website

SEPA are the Scottish Environment Protection Agency - SEPA (external link)

Ready Scotland’s aim is to make Scotland more resilient to emergencies. We know that disruptions can happen at any time and we’re here to help - Ready Scotland (external link)

31 Dec 2024