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Concern for Elderly in Big Freeze
BBC News
January 26, 2004
Elderly people and motorists have been warned to prepare for snowstorms and freezing winds, which are expected to grip Scotland.
Experts predict temperatures could plummet to -10C during the week.
The north is expected to be worst affected but many areas may see snow and sub-zero temperatures.
Old age pensioners have been advised to wrap up warm, while friends and family have been asked to keep an eye on elderly relatives and neighbours.
The Automobile Association has also warned drivers to take care in the cold conditions, while police have asked drivers to avoid unnecessary journeys.
Climbers have been asked to reconsider taking to remote areas over the next few days.
Andy Bodenham, a national forecaster at the Met office, said: "We expect to see heavy snow fall in the north east of UK which will affect Highlands and Grampian with 10cm or more of snow in places accompanied by drifting and bitterly cold winds.
"I imagine Glasgow and Edinburgh will be a couple of degrees below and considerably colder by night with widespread and penetrating frost.
"The worst of the conditions will persist into the end of the week but there will be less risk of significant snow by the weekend."
Glasgow City Council has put 40 gritting machines on 24-hour standby and asked commuters to listen to weather reports.
'Wrap up warm'
ScottishPower has put emergency teams on stand-by to deal with any power cuts, which may result from the bad weather.
A warning was also issued for the elderly to make sure they protect themselves against the extreme conditions.
Maureen O'Neill, Director of Age Concern Scotland, said: "Wrap up warm, both inside but especially outside of the home - lots of thinner layers of clothing are much better.
"Older people should also take plenty of hot drinks regularly and doing gentle exercise every day will help keep you warm.
"Family and neighbours can also help by offering to do shopping, de-icing paths or providing a hot meal."
The lowest temperature on record in the UK was -27.2 °C at Braemar in Aberdeenshire on 10 January, 1982 and -27.2 °C at Altnaharra in the Highlands on 30 December, 1995.
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