07/01/2026
Update from Aberdeenshire Council;
Key point local schools will make decission to open tomorrow there is not going to be a blanket closure in place.
⚠There is a YELLOW weather warning for snow and ice running through to midday on Thursday (January 8 ) with further snow and ice likely to bring further disruption on Wednesday. ⚠
While there are currently no weather warnings thereafter for the rest of the week, overnight temperatures are expected to continue to drop significantly, which may lead to icy conditions in areas that thaw during the day.
Customer Services continue to support local residents with a range of queries, many related to winter issues, but also a high percentage of business as usual.
Service Points remain open to support customers who are able to attend in person, with web chat also being well utilised.
Customer Services are liaising with roads, waste etc regarding their priority workloads and continuing to keep customers updated of progress as we are aware.
Customers should continue to follow the guidance available on our website relating to severe weather https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/communities-and-events/safety-and-emergencies/weather-emergencies
👉Schools
Following a blanket decision on school closures for the last three days, parents and carers will be contacted directly via their usual channels for whether schools and council-run nurseries will be open or closed on Thursday and Friday.
Aberdeenshire Council has reverted to local decision-making to ensure where schools can open safely, they do - although we anticipate this will be a limited number.
Headteacher decisions will be based on a range of factors impacting our schools’ ability to operate safely. This includes the ongoing weather warning and related impacts on the road network, staff and pupil travel and school facilities.
You can also view the latest decisions on our website at https://online.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/school-closures
Please note the website will clear at 4pm each day with information for the following day.
👉Roads
Our roads teams supported by contracted farmers, contractors, support agencies and volunteers continue to focus on keeping roads clear and increase our push into towns and onto minor routes and local trunk roads to aid connectivity within our communities.
We have also redeployed 80 waste personnel and around 90 landscape staff where possible, to help clear footpaths, focusing on key establishments like sheltered housing schemes and care homes – again, we expect to see real progress being made in the coming days.
Currently we have 64+ drivers on rota to provide seven day per week cover for our 32 primary routes with additional drivers brought in throughout the day to support our operations.
We have the following equipment in operation across Aberdeenshire:
• 32 primary gritters
• 12 secondary
• 20 town gritters
• 2 tractor-mounted snow blowers
• 47 footway gritters
Support
• 120 farmer plows
• 50+ additional contractor plows
Mutual Aid support
AMEY has been quick to respond to our approach for mutual aid with 12 pieces of additional plant now delivered and operating including snow blowers, tractors with ploughs and salt spreaders. We’ve also brought in a snow cutter from Tayside Contracts and have a locally-sourced snow blower in operation as well.
Interactive Map
Due to the ongoing snow event, we have made updates to our FixMyStreet platform which make it easier for people to report winter-related road issues that we might not already know about.
This can be done by submitting a report and selecting Winter & Gritting – Other (Winter Maintenance) from the available options.
https://fix.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/around?lat=57.30906&lon=-2.35225&js=1&zoom=0&filter_category=Other%20(Winter%20Maintenance)&sort=created-desc&status=open,closed,fixed
Please be aware that, due to the weather, we are currently dealing with a high volume of enquiries. These are being assessed and addressed on a priority basis.
👉Waste and recycling
Bin collections will be attempted in Fraserburgh, Macduff, and Banff. Black lid bins will also be attempted for Laurencekirk and trade waste for Banchory. For all other routes, residents can take bins back in.
When conditions do improve, we will look at the missed collections along with our staff and vehicle resources to determine where it is practicably possible to return for bins.
With thanks to the snow clearing efforts by our dedicated staff, all household recycling centres opened today from 9am. Please take care on the access road to Peterhead’s recycling centre as it continues to be cleared.
Members of our waste and recycling team have also been redeployed to help the Roads team as well as support the more vulnerable such as helping to clear access to local care homes at Deveron Court Turriff; Forbes Court New Pitsligo; Banchory’s Dalvenie Care Home and Hanover Court Sheltered Housing; Stonehaven’s Carnegie Care Home and Eden Care Home; Portlethen's Glebe Court; Westhilll’s Blackhills Care Home; and Laurencekirk’s Mearns Care Home and more.
👉Health and Social Care Partnership
The weather continues to impact on service delivery, and our amazing teams are doing all they can to keep supporting people.
Vaccination Clinics are closed today, and we are assessing our ability to re-open safely for patients and staff. Keep an eye on our social media channels for updates.
Home Care teams are working to complete as many visits as possible, and we are very grateful to families for the support.
GP Practices are working as best they can to get people the care they need. Many GP practice teams are working remotely so that they can continue to provide appointments over the phone or online.
Our Minor Injury Service is operating although with reduced capacity due to staffing issues.
👉General advice
For more information and to access local preparedness resources, visit: https://publications.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/winter-weather-advice
To see our planned gritting for each day, go to: https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/roads-and-travel/roads/winter-maintenance/gritting-routes
Stay informed – follow trusted sources like council websites and social media channels for updates and advice:
• https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/ opens in a new tab
• https://www.sepa.org.uk/ opens in a new tab
• https://powertrack.ssen.co.uk/powertrack opens in a new tab
General advice for road users
• Plan ahead and avoid unnecessary travel
• All road users should consider if they really need to travel during adverse weather.
• Consider delaying travel until conditions improve
• If you are travelling on the roads, prepare yourself and your vehicle for the conditions
• Ensure your mobile phone is charged and plan your journey, including an alternative route
• Have sufficient fuel, warm clothing, food and water in case you’re delayed
