Road condition update and black ice warning for 9 and 10 February

Orkney Islands Council is advising for motorists to avoid unnecessary travel this evening (Tuesday 9 February) and into tomorrow morning as severe wintry conditions including black ice continue.

Driving conditions are going to remain very poor over the next several hours as road temperatures dip as low as minus 7 degrees overnight and tomorrow, when it's unlikely to climb above zero until tomorrow (Wednesday) afternoon.

Snow showers are expected from around 15:00 this afternoon and are forecast to last until close to 21:00 – from then, hoar frost will set in and bring with it widespread risk of black ice.

Drivers are asked to be mindful that temperatures will drop rapidly from late afternoon today - any exposed areas of tarmac will be icy, and slush will be frozen.

The Council has commenced another treatment of the Priority 1 routes this afternoon, in readiness for the forecast snow showers tonight.

Motorists are warned they may encounter narrow and packed areas of snow, even on Priority 1 routes (major roads). For road users, this means a slippy surface. In these areas salt will need to be given time to work, and drivers are asked for ongoing patience and caution.

At the time of publishing, some Priority 2 roads in the county that motorists are asked to avoid are as follows:

• Just passable – Ireland Road, Heddle Road, Germiston Road, Holm Priority 2 roads.
• Hillside Road and Lyde Road are impassable at present.

Remainder of Priority 2 Routes are passable with care at the time of this update - although avoid back roads where possible unless for essential travel.

The Roads team would stress again to motorists that problem areas can pop up quickly and anyone travelling in rural areas should be prepared to encounter snow drifts and to have to turn back.

The Council's message remains stay at home if you can – if you must travel, be prepared with fully charged phone, blanket, torch, high viz, warm waterproof clothing, suitable footwear, hats and gloves and let someone know where you're heading and when you expect to arrive.

Find out more about the roads we treat and whether they are Priority 1, 2 or 3 in our Winter Service Plan.