SSEN moves to Weather Warning level in northern Scotland

Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) moved to its Weather Warning level of preparedness in the north of Scotland on 31 December 2025, ahead of forecast snow, ice and high winds. The network operator said the status is likely to remain in place through to Sunday.

The Met Office has a Yellow Weather Warning for snow and ice across the north of Scotland from today through to Sunday¹. SSEN said wind gusts of up to 65mph are forecast this evening across Orkney and Shetland, with stronger-than-normal gusts expected across Moray and Aberdeenshire tomorrow¹. The company described the warning as precautionary but said the combination of snow and strong wind gusts has the potential to affect the local electricity network and may hamper access to any faults that do occur¹.

SSEN said Weather Warning is the first of its levels of heightened preparedness ahead of a period of severe weather. Moving to this status means it has activated contingency plans, with additional teams in strategic locations ready to respond to network damage and faults that may interrupt power supply¹. The company said it will continue to monitor forecasts and issue further updates as required¹.

Why it matters for households

Households across the north of Scotland, Orkney, Shetland, Moray and Aberdeenshire may see power cuts if the forecast snow and wind damage the network, and access to faults may be slower while the conditions last. SSEN advises anyone who sees damage to its equipment to stay back, not touch it, and report it by calling 105¹. It encourages customers to save the emergency power cut number 105 to their phones to report loss of supply or network damage, and to use its Power Track website for details of power cuts and restoration times, where cuts and damage can also be reported¹.

SSEN said customers are eligible for its free Priority Services if they are deaf or hard of hearing, have a disability, live with children under five, are blind or partially sighted, have a chronic illness, use medical equipment or aids reliant on electricity, or are over 60¹. The company can be contacted about Priority Services on 0800 294 3259¹. Households can read more about who can join and what it provides in our guide to the Priority Services Register, and about how networks respond in storms and the electricity network. Our storms, snow and ice household guide and getting your home ready for cold weather and ice cover preparation, and Should I Delay My Journey in Bad Weather? covers travel in these conditions.

What happens next

SSEN said its Weather Warning is likely to remain in place through to Sunday, in line with the Met Office warning, and that it will issue further updates as required¹. It encourages customers to follow its Facebook page (ssencommunity) for regular updates¹.