Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) Distribution moved to Weather Warning status at 15:00 on 18 December 2022, in preparation for unsettled weather forecast to affect the western and north western areas of its territory1. The network operator said it had enacted its resilience plans and was increasing and moving additional resources to key locations in anticipation of any potential damage1.
A Met Office Yellow Warning was in place until 21:00, with freezing rain and snow expected to cause some disruption to travel and other activities before turning to rain later1. SSEN's weather model showed wind speeds increasing to up to 60mph, and temperatures dipping to freezing in Argyll and West Highland, and Orkney through the evening1. The company said no significant risk was expected on Shetland at that time1.
| Area | Forecast in SSEN's weather model |
|---|---|
| Argyll and West Highland | Temperatures dipping to freezing through the evening; wind speeds up to 60mph |
| Orkney | Temperatures dipping to freezing through the evening; wind speeds up to 60mph |
| Shetland | No significant risk expected at this time |
SSEN's customer contact teams were proactively contacting customers on its Priority Services Register to offer additional advice and support1. The register provides extra help during a power cut, and SSEN lists eligibility as: being deaf or hard of hearing; having a disability; living with children under five; being blind or partially sighted; having a chronic illness; using medical equipment or aids reliant on electricity; being over 60; or temporarily needing extra support1. The company gave the number for the register as 0800 294 32591.
"We are urging people not to approach any damaged equipment"
SSEN asked people to report damage by calling 105 or through its Power Track app, saying engineers would investigate as soon as possible1. It also encouraged customers to save the emergency power cut number, 105, to their phone, to download the Power Track app for details of power cuts and restoration times, and to follow its social media accounts for updates1.
Why it matters for households
The warning covers households in Argyll and West Highland, and Orkney, from 15:00 on 18 December 2022, with the Met Office Yellow Warning running until 21:001. Freezing rain, snow and gusts of up to 60mph create the conditions in which overhead lines and other network equipment can be damaged, and SSEN's move to Weather Warning status is a signal that it expects possible disruption to supplies in those areas1. Households on the Priority Services Register were being contacted directly; those not yet registered can check eligibility against the categories above1. SSEN's published advice for a possible loss of power is to keep the 105 number to hand, use the Power Track app for cut and restoration information, and consult its website and social media for updates1. Its safety advice is not to approach damaged equipment and to report it instead1. Households planning travel during the warning period can weigh the Met Office warning against their journey; our guide on whether to delay a journey in bad weather sets out how warnings and travel disruption fit together, and our storms and snow hub covers wider winter preparation. For how network operators respond to storms and what happens to supplies, see storms and the electricity network, and for the register itself, see the Priority Services Register. The power cuts hub covers what to expect when supplies fail.
What happens next
SSEN said it would continue to monitor weather forecasts and provide updates if the situation changed1. No further status changes or restoration figures had been reported at the time of its statement1.
Storms and the Electricity Grid
Delaying Journeys in Bad Weather
