Storm Chandra has swept across Scotland with a volatile mix of gales, driving rain and heavy hill snow, triggering widespread disruption to roads, railways, ferries and flights on Tuesday 27 January 2026.

With multiple yellow weather warnings in force for wind, rain, snow and ice, authorities have urged travelers to reconsider journeys as transport operators struggle to keep services running in hazardous conditions.

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Met Office Warnings as Chandra Slams into Scotland

As Storm Chandra moved north and east across the UK, the Met Office issued a series of overlapping yellow warnings for Scotland covering rain and snow in the south, more persistent snow in the north, and strong winds across western and southern areas. These alerts were in effect through much of Tuesday, with further ice risk flagged into early Wednesday in some inland regions.

Forecasters warned that low level areas could see several centimeters of wet snow, while upland routes in the Highlands and Southern Uplands faced accumulations of 10 to 20 centimeters or more, driven by gusts approaching 60 miles per hour. That combination raised the likelihood of drifting, poor visibility and a rapid deterioration in road conditions, particularly on higher passes and exposed routes.

Rainfall totals of up to 50 millimeters have been forecast for the wettest parts of western and southern Scotland, falling on ground already saturated by a series of earlier storms this month. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency placed flood warnings on parts of Tayside and Perth and Kinross, alongside broader flood alerts from Aberdeenshire to Dumfries and Galloway, heightening concern for low lying communities and riverside routes.

Officials stressed that, while Chandra was primarily a wind and rain event for much of the UK, Scotland was seeing the added complication of snow and icy surfaces, creating a more complex and fast changing hazard picture for anyone on the move.

Flights Scrapped and Diversions as Winds Hit Scottish Airports

Air travel has been among the hardest hit sectors, with widespread cancellations and disruption across the Scottish network as Storm Chandra’s strongest gusts coincided with Tuesday’s morning and midday schedules. Regional carrier Loganair confirmed it had grounded at least a dozen services, including flights linking Glasgow with Islay, Campbeltown and Tiree, as well as other short haul routes that rely on smaller aircraft more vulnerable to crosswinds.

Edinburgh and Glasgow, Scotland’s busiest airports, both reported cancelled domestic services, particularly on east-west routes and links across the Irish Sea. Travelers reported last minute gate changes and rolling delays as air traffic controllers spaced out arrivals and departures to cope with turbulent conditions and wind shear around the runways.

In one high profile incident, a long haul flight from Dubai bound for Newcastle was forced to divert to Edinburgh after conditions deteriorated further south. Passengers disembarked in the Scottish capital as airlines scrambled to organize onward travel once weather conditions allowed. Aviation analysts noted that such diversions, while unsettling for passengers, are a routine safety measure when strong crosswinds or wind gust differentials exceed aircraft limits.

With Chandra’s strongest winds expected to ease only gradually into the night, airlines warned of further knock-on disruption, including aircraft and crew out of position, even after the core of the storm moved away. Passengers were urged to check directly with their carriers before leaving for the airport and to expect reduced timetables on some regional links into Wednesday.

Rail and Road Networks Struggle with Snow, Fallen Trees and High Winds

On the ground, Scotland’s main road and rail arteries have been tested by intense squalls, sleet and snow showers, and scattered debris. Police Scotland and trunk road operators reported difficult driving conditions on routes including the A9 through the Drumochter Pass, where gritters were deployed continuously to keep traffic moving as snow accumulated on the carriageway.

Further south and west, a section of the A82 experienced major disruption on Tuesday morning after high winds contributed to a serious incident involving an overturned heavy goods vehicle and a coach. Images from the scene showed vehicles lying on their side, underlining the vulnerability of high sided vehicles on exposed stretches during severe gusts. Authorities warned that similar risks remained in open country and on bridges, with speed restrictions and, in some cases, closures imposed as a precaution.

In the eastern Highlands, access to popular mountain areas has been curtailed. The A93 to Glenshee Ski Centre was closed in both directions because of heavy snowfall and drifting, cutting off one of the main winter sports approaches in the region. Local councils also reported spot flooding and surface water on lower routes where heavy rain outpaced drainage, particularly in parts of Ayrshire, Dumfries and Galloway, and the Borders.

Scotland’s rail network has also felt the impact. ScotRail confirmed that speed restrictions were in place on several lines due to the combination of rain and snow, extending journey times and leaving some services altered or curtailed. Earlier in the day, a fallen tree between Arbroath and Montrose in Angus blocked the line before engineers cleared the route. With saturated soils and gusty conditions expected to persist, operators warned that further falling trees and track flooding could not be ruled out.

Ferries Cancelled Across the West Coast and Hebrides

Ferry services, a lifeline for many Scottish islands, have been particularly vulnerable as Chandra lashed the west coast. Operator Caledonian MacBrayne said that 29 of its 30 routes had been affected in some way, from delays and timetable revisions to outright cancellations on the most exposed crossings.

Sailings from Oban to Mull and onwards to Iona, as well as routes to Barra, Coll and Tiree, were among those suspended as high seas and severe winds made berthing unsafe. Services from Ardrossan and Troon linking the mainland with Arran also faced disruption, leaving some island communities effectively cut off for periods during the day.

Further south, Stena Line cancelled multiple sailings between Belfast and Cairnryan in Dumfries and Galloway as conditions in the North Channel deteriorated. With the Irish Sea also under strong wind warnings, operators cautioned that short notice changes were likely to continue while the storm system remained nearby.

Port authorities said they were monitoring conditions hour by hour and coordinating closely with coastguard teams. While the cancellations have frustrated passengers and freight hauliers, safety managers emphasized that docking maneuvers in gale force crosswinds present significant risk to both vessels and port infrastructure, leaving little room for compromise once thresholds are breached.

Snow Warnings: How Much Is Falling and Where It Is Hitting Travel

Although much of central and southern Scotland has contended mainly with wind and driving rain, Chandra’s colder air on its northern flank has turned precipitation to snow over higher ground and, at times, at lower elevations. The Met Office signaled that upland areas in the Highlands, Grampians and parts of Perthshire could see 10 to 20 centimeters of snow, with localized higher totals on the most exposed peaks.

The heavy snowfall has immediate implications for travel across mountain passes and remote glens. Roads serving ski centers in the Highlands reported deteriorating conditions, with The Lecht announcing that it would remain closed to customers for the day due to a combination of strong winds and drifting snow. Operators at the resort said they expected surrounding access roads to become increasingly difficult to navigate as the day wore on.

On lower ground in southern Scotland, a separate Met Office warning for a mix of rain and snow covered Dumfries and Galloway, Ayrshire and the Borders. Forecasters highlighted the risk of slushy accumulations on untreated surfaces, particularly during heavier bursts, leading to hazardous conditions for morning and evening commuters. In rural areas, there is also concern about isolated power cuts if wet snow accumulates on overhead lines and tree branches already stressed by high winds.

Forecasters indicated that as Chandra gradually moves away, temperatures overnight could dip sufficiently for residual moisture to freeze, creating icy patches on untreated roads and pavements into Wednesday morning. Local authorities have deployed gritting teams to priority routes but warned that not all minor roads can be treated in time, urging drivers to travel only if essential and to be prepared for changing conditions.

Passenger Rights, Rebooking and How Operators Are Responding

As cancellations and delays mounted on Tuesday, questions turned to the rights of affected passengers and the policies of transport operators during severe weather. Airlines serving Scotland reiterated that safety will always take precedence over schedule commitments, but also confirmed that travellers whose flights are cancelled are generally entitled to rebooking on the next available service and to assistance at the airport while they wait.

Under air passenger regulations, those facing overnight delays due to weather grounded flights are typically entitled to meals and, where necessary, hotel accommodation, although compensation for the disruption itself is not usually payable when cancellations are caused by extraordinary circumstances such as storms. Major carriers advised travelers to use official apps and websites to manage rebookings rather than queuing at airport desks wherever possible.

Rail customers whose journeys were significantly delayed by speed restrictions, line blockages or service alterations may be eligible for partial refunds or vouchers under existing delay repay schemes. ScotRail and other operators have reminded passengers to keep tickets and records of disruption to support claims once normal operations resume.

For ferry passengers, policies vary by route, but most operators are offering transfers to later sailings or full refunds where services are cancelled outright. With capacity constrained in the immediate aftermath of the storm, island communities and regular freight users are being prioritized on some routes, a measure that may leave tourist traffic facing longer waits for available space.

What Travelers Should Expect in the Next 24 Hours

Meteorologists expect Storm Chandra gradually to weaken and move away from Scotland through late Tuesday and into Wednesday, but its legacy of saturated ground, lying snow on high routes and displaced vehicles and crews means travel disruption is likely to linger. In many areas, yellow warnings for wind will expire overnight, while new alerts for ice may take their place as temperatures fall.

Transport operators are planning for a phased recovery rather than an instant return to normality. Rail engineers will need to complete track inspections in daylight where flooding or fallen trees have been reported, while ferry companies will wait for sea states and wind directions to moderate before reinstating full timetables. On the roads, councils will focus first on clearing obstructions and keeping key commuting corridors open for the Wednesday morning peak.

For anyone due to travel to, from or within Scotland in the coming day, the message from authorities is to stay flexible and informed. That means checking the latest forecasts, monitoring real time updates from airlines, rail companies and ferry operators, and allowing extra time for journeys where alternatives are limited. Those with non-essential trips have been encouraged to postpone where possible until conditions stabilize.

Storm Chandra comes late in a winter already marked by a series of powerful Atlantic systems that have tested infrastructure and communities across the UK. For Scotland, the storm’s mix of coastal gales, inland flooding and heavy upland snow has again highlighted the vulnerability of its transport arteries, and the complex decisions passengers and operators must make when the weather turns suddenly against them.