Highland Road Conditions Report - Friday 19 January 2024

19th 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 (external link).

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.

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. The B9176 Struie Road remains closed. It will be reassessed later today.

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 (external link).

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/