Highland Council winter road condition reports for Friday, 20 December 2013
The Highland Council’s snow clearing / gritting route policies and area maps are online for 2013/14 at http://www.highland.gov.uk/gritting.htm.
A Highland Council spokesperson said: "The conditions were poor all day yesterday in certain parts with temperatures close to zero and frequent sleet/snow showers. We were variously treating for ice/snow/sleet most of the day yesterday. We also carried out precautionary treatment in the evening. Evening precipitation was largely sleet which appears to have partially melted and washed salt from the road leading to more difficult conditions this morning. We have had a full treatment service running since 6am today. All this is per policy and using the resources available to the Council."
Road condition and gritting treatment reports by The Highland Council’s, Transport, Environmental and Community Services for the morning of Friday, 20 December 2013 are as follows:
Lochaber
Positive road surface temperatures at first this morning. No signs of ice but some isolated patches of slushy snow. All primary routes patrolled this morning with some patchy hail and snow treated on higher ground, but no other problems reported. Posted: 20/12/2013 11:07
Badenoch and Strathspey
Another 2 - 3cm of snow overnight. Roads conditions hard packed snow and slush. Posted: 20/12/2013 10:12.
Caithness South Sutherland and East Ross
Very icy conditions reported this morning, with up to 2 inches of snow on the high ground. All routes are being treated, plus bladed where necessary, in order of priority. Posted: 20/12/2013 09:03.
Caithness and North Sutherland
Icy conditions in Caithness some black ice on Thurso side after rain showers. Treating by priority and policy. North Sutherland high parts got up to 2 inches of wet snow on them, also black ice on some routes. Treatment ongoing by priority and policy. Posted: 20/12/2013 08:37.
Skye and Lochalsh
Marginal road surface temperatures at first this morning, however now progressively becoming milder. All primary routes patrolled this morning with some patchy hail and snow treated on higher ground, but no other problems reported. Posted: 20/12/2013 08:24.
Nairn
Widespread icy conditions with a covering of snow on highest routes. Treating routes by priority. Posted: 20/12/2013 08:04
Inverness
Icy stretches on some low roads, 2"-3" snow cover on some high roads, all primary and secondary to be gritted plus bladed where required, will then carry on with other routes until conditions improve. Posted: 20/12/2013 07:34.
Ross and Cromarty
Widespread reports of icy conditions across the whole area this morning. Continuing to treat routes by priority. Pavements in east of area to be checked and treated as needed. Posted: 20/12/2013 07:17.
The information provided is a summary of reports from operational staff and is intended to give a general indication of typical conditions in each area at a point in time. It is not intended to imply that any individual route is entirely snow and ice free and drivers must be aware that conditions can change rapidly and make their own assessment of conditions for travelling.