Scotland’s weather: ‘Weather bomb’ scare warning

MET Office bosses have warned that the over-the-top reaction to last week’s ‘weather bomb’ could lead to the public ignoring genuine severe weather warnings in the future.

Shoppers on Princes Street battle the elements last week. Picture: Hemedia

Just days after Edinburgh was hit with snow, sleet and storms, the Star Flyer and Big Wheel at Edinburgh’s Christmas festival were shut down, while traffic restrictions were in place on the Forth Road Bridge.

But the Met Office have pointed out that the storms which lashed much of Britain last week were not out of the ordinary for the time of year, and blamed the ‘cry wolf’ reaction on social media.

Helen Chivers said: “If the term ‘weather bomb’ is being used too often and is being used incorrectly scientifically, then you could possibly see that people won’t pay attention to warnings, so it is important it is used in the right context and the right time.”

Wind speeds across Scotland reached 80mph last week, with a gust of 144mph being recorded on the island of St Kilda.

The Forth Road Bridge was forced to close for the best part of an hour on Thursday after snow and ice began falling on vehicles passing underneath, causing a danger to motorists.