A festive trip to see Father Christmas in Lapland had to be cancelled yesterday – due to heavy snow in Glasgow. Scores of excited children and parents were due to fly to Kittilä in northern Finland, north of the Arctic Circle, where the day-time temperature yesterday fell to -17C (1.4F).
But snow which Glasgow Airport’s operators say was “heavier than forecast” closed the runway, so the £730-a-head day trip with travel firm TUI had missed its slot. A Met Office warning of snow west of Glasgow was in place at the time.
TUI said it had offered passengers the chance to see Santa on another date. But the disruption also cancelled flights to London Heathrow, Amsterdam and Barra while many more were delayed.
Fiona McCaig, of Glasgow, wrote on social media: “Glasgow Airport a shambles this morning – four hour delay and counting.” Arlene Elliot replied on the ‘Go Giffnock’ Facebook page: “My daughter is flying up from Gatwick and is delayed. That’s
what she’s been told.”
After snow-clearing efforts were successful, Glasgow Airport tweeted: “Our runway is now fully operational again and we are working with our airline partners and their handlers to resume flight schedules. Thank you to everyone affected for their patience and understanding.”
Yesterday, Scotland endured its coldest morning this year since March 9, with -11C (12.2F) recorded at Aviemore in the Highlands. Private gauges at Dulnain Bridge on Speyside showed -16C (3.2F). Eleven SPFL football matches were called off due to the conditions, including Livingston versus Ross County in the Premiership.
Heavy snow near Dundee forced gritters to de-ice the Tay Road Bridge and ScotRail said services were disrupted due to points failures. Trains between Glasgow and Cumbernauld were halted and a signalling problem at Rutherglen hit services into Glasgow Central.
Marco Petagna, senior meteorologist at the Met Office, said it will be Thursday before we see a rise in temperatures, due to milder air coming from the south west. He added: “Sunday morning could be even colder at -12C (10.4F), especially where snow is lying on higher ground.
“On Sunday, there should be a lot of sunshine around, with the odd patch of freezing fog. The cold weather will take a while to shift and it could be Thursday before anything warmer moves in.”
