Civil Nuclear Constabulary officers across Scotland kept policing and public safety running through prolonged snow and ice this month, maintaining coverage at Dounreay, St Fergus, Garlogie and Torness. In a 9 January statement, Chief Constable Simon Chesterman praised teams for delivering “vital policing services safely, professionally and with real determination” during difficult conditions. ([gov.uk](Link

At Dounreay, drifting snow and deep freezes meant continuous clearance to keep key training and operational areas usable. Some officers extended shifts to cover colleagues delayed by blocked roads, while in Aberdeenshire teams at St Fergus and Garlogie used specialist vehicles, checked on isolated residents and moved supplies to people unable to leave home. Torness stayed on standby to respond, helping keep disruption to a minimum. ([gov.uk](Link

Weather risks remain live. The Met Office has issued an amber warning for further snow across parts of eastern and Highland Scotland on Sunday, with 5–15 cm at lower levels and up to 20–30 cm over higher ground. Wider yellow warnings cover snow, ice and wind, with flood risk where thaw meets heavy rain and the possibility of freezing rain. ([metoffice.gov.uk](Link

This response is about more than one cold snap. Scotland’s adaptation programme warns that energy, water, transport and digital networks are tightly connected, so failure in one can cascade into others. Building resilience at civil nuclear and nearby sites strengthens both local safety and national security. ([gov.scot](Link

The climate context helps explain these swings. The Royal Meteorological Society’s State of the UK Climate reports the decade 2015–2024 was around 10% wetter than 1961–1990, with winter 2023/24 the wettest on record and nine named storms in 2024. Snow and frost days are trending down, yet sharp snowfalls still occur when cold air meets moisture‑rich systems. ([rmets.org](Link

Met Office monitoring adds that the number and severity of UK snow events have declined since the 1960s, while extreme rainfall and higher seas are raising baseline risks. Expect more winters that flip quickly from heavy snow to rain and back again - exactly the mix that strains staffing, vehicles and back‑up power at remote sites. ([metoffice.gov.uk](Link

Independent advisers say the UK is not yet set up for this. In its 2025 progress report, the Climate Change Committee finds no adaptation outcome with ‘good’ delivery and calls for asset‑level resilience data, weather‑related outage tracking and robust stress testing across energy networks. The next Ofgem price control will include such tests, and the new National Energy System Operator carries a resilience remit. ([theccc.org.uk](Link

Scotland’s National Adaptation Plan for 2024–2029 promises closer work between regulators, responders and operators on critical infrastructure, including the civil nuclear sector. Turning that into daily practice at Dounreay, Garlogie and Torness means dependable back‑up power, winter‑ready fleets and safe accommodation for stranded staff, plus agreed protocols to support nearby residents during prolonged snow and ice. ([gov.scot](Link

This week’s operations point in the right direction: rosters were balanced around travel windows, officer welfare prioritised and essential training areas kept usable to maintain a strong local presence. Those decisions helped services continue in communities facing blocked roads and sub‑zero windchill. ([gov.uk](Link

The task now is to move from good crisis response to assured resilience. Publish site‑level stress‑test results, track weather‑related disruptions openly and set timelines to close gaps. The CCC sets out the blueprint; Scotland’s plan provides the mandate. Following through would turn this week’s steady hands into long‑term security for people living near these sites. ([theccc.org.uk](Link