Scotland weather: Snow causes tricky driving conditions as Storm Dave passes through

Three yellow warnings across parts of northern England, Scotland and Wales had been due to remain in place until midday on Easter Sunday but were lifted by around 7.30am as the weather improved. However some Caledonian MacBrayne ferry services on Scotland’s west coast were disrupted by the weather, and some motorists faced disruption due to fallen trees blocking routes.

Storm Dave swept in on Saturday and an amber wind warning covering parts of northern England, north-west Wales and southern Scotland was in place until 3am on Sunday.

The strongest gust overnight was 93mph at Capel Curig in North Wales, while gusts of 75mph were recorded at Emley Moor in West Yorkshire and St Bees Head in Cumbria, and one of 73mph was recorded at Buchan in Aberdeenshire, the Met Office said.

Marco Petagna, a Met Office spokesman, said: “The winds eased down a bit more quickly than forecast across Scotland, northern England and Wales.

“Storm Dave is pulling away and the warnings are easing more quickly than forecast so the yellow warnings were no longer warranted.”

Before the severe amber weather warning was lifted, the Met Office had forecast “severe gales” across central and northern areas of the country overnight into Sunday.

Network Rail Scotland put speed restrictions in place on some routes, with the last of these lifting at around 8am on Sunday. The Humber Bridge linking East Yorkshire with north Lincolnshire reopened after being closed in both directions to high-sided and vulnerable vehicles early on Sunday due to strong winds, National Highways said.

Network Rail Manchester announced rail replacement bus services would run between Manchester Piccadilly and Chester due to overnight conditions.

The Met Office’s forecast for Easter Sunday said: “Storm Dave will clear north east on Sunday morning, leaving sunshine and widespread showers across the UK.

“Northern areas will see the heaviest blustery showers and feel cold, while temperatures elsewhere stay closer to average for early April.”

As of 9am on Sunday, there were three flood warnings and eight flood alerts in place in Scotland. In England there was one flood warning and 23 flood alerts, and Wales had three coastal flood alerts.

The Energy Networks Association, which represents electricity network operators, said on Saturday: “The storm has the potential to affect local power infrastructure, increasing the risk of a power cut and fallen power lines.

“Network operators are increasing staffing for operational teams, and moving spare equipment to where the weather is expected to be most disruptive, so it’s ready to use if needed.”