Heavy snow hits Edinburgh as Storm Bert swoop in as drivers issued warning

Heavy snow has hit parts of Edinburgh as Storm Bert swoops in on Saturday morning.

A yellow warning for rain and snow has been issued for the weekend with drivers being issued warnings and some train passengers being told to avoid travel.

Areas of south east Edinburgh has been reported to have seen wintry showers and residents in Abbeyhill and Morningside woke up to the white stuff.

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Some locals in Morningside have warned others to avoid driving following reports of accidents in the area due to the conditions.

Drivers are warning to take care on the M8 while parts of the city bypass has also been hit by snow. Traffic Scotland alerted motorists: "Police are asking drivers to please take care on the M8 and consider travel plans."

The yellow weather warning is in place until 9am on Sunday as heavy rain and wintry showers have been forecasted for Edinburgh and the Lothians. Weather forecasters warn snow will hit higher grounds.

Police Scotland Edinburgh have warned drivers to take care. A spokesperson said: "After the recent weather warning and continued cold weather into the weekend, please be careful when driving through Edinburgh. This mornings snow and ice has resulted in several minor traffic accidents across the City which our officers are currently dealing with.

"As a result there is considerable traffic disruption to Drum Brae/Clermiston area and at the Straiton juntion on Edinburgh City Bypass. As the snow continues, please consider whether travelling is necessary and if driving, please be careful."

Met Office warns: "Cloudy with hill snow soon followed by occasionally heavy rain. Strong southeasterly winds, occasionally gale force, severe near coasts. The wind eases and the rain becomes lighter and patchy in the afternoon. Milder than of late. Maximum temperature 12C."

Jason Kelly is a Met Office Chief Meteorologist and said: “Storm Bert starts to arrive overnight on Friday and into Saturday, initially over Northern Ireland.

"As we go through the first part of Saturday morning, it will start to show its hand across Scotland, north Wales and northern England, with the potential for some heavy snowfall, especially over higher ground. Warnings are in place, including an amber warning for snow and ice for parts of Scotland.”