New Year starts with gales, snow and ice

THE MET Office has updated its weather warning for the comings days as gale force north westerly winds and frequent sleet and snow showers are battering the islands.

Driving conditions earlier on New Year’s Day have been described as difficult.

Whalsay and Bluemull Sound inter island ferry services are currently suspended due to the strength of the wind.

Conditions will be reviewed throughout the day but at the moment it seems unlikely that services will resume today (Thursday).

Travellers are advised to check the council’s ferry information service for updates.

There is no NorthLink ferry service on New Year’s Day, but the company has already warned of possible disruptions from tomorrow (Friday) onwards.

There are yellow Met Office weather warnings for ice and snow in place for the north of Scotland including Shetland from today until Sunday 4 January.

Frequent and heavy snow showers may lead to some travel disruption, the Met Office said.

For a detailed and up to date forecast check out our weather pages at https://www.shetnews.co.uk/weather/