Storm Doris closes roads and schools across Scotland

The M80 was closed for a while after snow brought the route to a standstill

Snow and high winds caused by Storm Doris have led to travel disruption, power cuts and school closures.

Among the worst affected routes was the M80, which was closed for a time in both directions after heavy snow led to treacherous driving conditions.

A Met Office amber "be prepared" snow warning for parts of south and central Scotland has now been downgraded to a yellow "be aware" warning.

A yellow warning for ice has been issued for much of Scotland overnight.

At the peak of the disruption, the M80 was shut northbound after Junction 5 at Auchenkilns and southbound from Junction 9 Bannockburn due to snow. Two lorries also jack-knifed on the route near Haggs.

Routes around Shotts were badly affected by snow

It had reopened in both directions by about 11:00.

In Stirlingshire, a gritter lorry driver had a narrow escape after his truck left the A875 near Balfron Station and ended up on its side in a field.

He was uninjured and the truck was recovered by Stirling Council.

Power company SSE said about 700 of its customers had experienced power cuts, mainly in rural Perthshire, Kinross, Dunblane and Milnathort.

Weather front

It said heavy snow had damaged its overhead network but added it expected supplies to be restored to all customers during Thursday afternoon.

The snow also resulted in schools and nurseries being shut across eight Scottish local authority areas, with Falkirk and Perth and Kinross among the worst affected.

Falkirk Council said eight schools were closed as well as several nurseries. Perth and Kinross also closed eight schools.

The University of Dundee Satellite Receiving Station captured images of Doris sweeping through

In Stirling and Aberdeenshire, four schools were closed because of the heavy snow fall.

In the Scottish Borders, all school transport was cancelled as a result of the weather warning.

Elsewhere, the A7, A9, A68, A81 and Edinburgh city bypass were among the routes to have seen some snowfalls and snow gates were closed on the B974 Banchory to Fettercairn road.

Roads in the Scottish Borders were affected by snowfalls

A gritter lorry overturned in bad conditions in Stirlingshire

On the M90 at Perth, snow caused delays in both directions between J9 Muirmont and J8, with queuing traffic between Gairney Bridge and Halbeath.

The A977 between Balado and Blairingone was also badly affected by snow, with reports of cars stuck at Crook of Devon.

Storm Doris is the first major winter weather front to hit the UK for two months. The Met Office had issued an amber warning across the Borders, Dumfries and Galloway, Tayside and Fife for snow, but it was dowgraded to a yellopw warning shortly before 15:00.

They have also issued a yellow warning for ice covering most parts of Scotland from 18:00 on Thursday until 09:00 on Friday.

Check out the latest travel news for Scotland

For regular travel bulletins listen live to BBC Radio Scotland and follow @BBCTravelScot.

In times of severe disruption you can also follow the BBC Scotland severe weather Twitter list of key sources.

Below are a number of other traffic information sources.

Other links

• Traffic Scotland

• Transport Scotland

• Ready Scotland

• National Rail Enquiries

• Traveline Scotland

• ScotRail

• Network Rail

Transport Minister Humza Yousaf said: "Transport Scotland is working with the relevant organisations, such as Police Scotland and the road operating companies, to try to mitigate the effects of this latest set of wintry conditions.

"We would ask road users to be mindful that disruption is likely and to plan accordingly."

A multi-agency response team has been brought into the Traffic Scotland national control centre

Supt Fraser Candlish urged drivers to adjust to the conditions.

He said: "With a substantial risk of travel disruption due to the weather, motorists should consider whether their journey is absolutely necessary.

"If you do decide to travel, check local advice and ensure your vehicle is well prepared before setting off.

"Keep yourself safe by adjusting your driving to suit the road conditions and leave more space between you and the vehicle in front.

"Plan for the worst-case scenario by ensuring you have sufficient supplies, including food, water, warm clothes and a fully-charged mobile phone."

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