Storm Dave expected to cause travel disruption over Easter weekend

Storm Dave is expected to cause travel disruption this Easter weekend, with warnings for heavy snow and gale-force winds issued across northern parts of the UK, but a reprieve from the cold snap could be on the way, with temperatures forecast to reach the mid-20s next week.The Met Office has issued a yellow severe weather warning in Scotland for heavy snow and blizzards causing some travel and power disruption. Up to 30 centimetres of snow could fall. An amber weather warning for wind has been issued for parts of northern England, Scotland and Wales on Saturday evening.The Met Office has upgraded a severe yellow weather warning for wind to amber, meaning flying debris could lead to “injuries or danger to life”.Parts of Lancashire, North Yorkshire, Northumberland, north Wales and Scotland are covered by the amber warning, which comes into effect at 7pm on Saturday and is due to remain in place until 3am on Sunday.Those travelling over the Easter weekend have been told there could be disruption on the roads as well as on rail, air and ferry services.Greg Dewhurst, a Met Office meteorologist, said: “There is cold air across Scotland at the moment and, as the rain pushes across this afternoon, it is going to turn to snow.“We’ll see heavy snow forming across parts of the Highlands as we go through the rest of the afternoon into the evening time and early hours As much as 20 to 30 centimetres could fall over the higher ground, and five to 10 centimetres over lower ground.”Temperatures are set to rise after Easter Monday as warmer air comes from Europe, Dewhurst said, with “temperatures rising to the low 20s, with highs around 20C or 21C on Tuesday, and possibly 23C or 24C come Wednesday”.He added that mid-20s temperatures are normal for April as the sun starts getting stronger.The Met Office still has multiple yellow and amber weather warnings in place for wind covering the whole of mainland Scotland, Northern Ireland, parts of northern England and north Wales from Saturday evening into Sunday.There could also be dangerous conditions from large waves along the coastline as well as gusts of up to 90mph in exposed areas.Storm Dave will hit hardest on Saturday evening, before beginning to weaken on Sunday as it moves into the North Sea.Scotland’s first minister John Swinney urged people to follow advice from authorities.He told the Press Association: “The weather warnings are issued when we have information that suggests there will be challenging conditions, and we think we’ll have those challenging conditions later on today.“So my advice to members of the public would be to follow all of the advice that’s available and to make sure they stay safe.”The RAC predicted it would be the busiest Easter on the roads since 2022. Travel trade organisation Abta has also estimated that 2 million people from the UK will travel abroad between Good Friday and Easter Monday.Those driving in Scotland have been urged to check their journeys before setting off.Network Rail Scotland said the worst affected lines would be on the Ayrshire coast, the east coast mainline and in the north-east.