Met office issue fresh weekend weather warning for Scotland
Schools across the country have been closed today.
Last updated 20th Nov 2024
More snow is expected across Scotland this weekend, as the Met Office has issued a new alert.
A yellow weather warning for frequent snow showers and possible hail is in place in many parts of north and west Scotland, from Wednesday morning to midday on Thursday.
Between 2cm and 5cm (up to 2in) of snow is expected widely and it could reach 10cm in some parts of the north-west mainland, with higher ground seeing 15cm to 20cm (up to 7.8in), the Met Office said.
A yellow warning for ice with a "few sleet or snow showers" has been posted from Wednesday afternoon to Thursday morning in most of Scotland, the East and West Midlands, the east, north-east and north-west of England, Northern Ireland, Wales and Yorkshire.
In addition, there is now a fresh weather warning for snow and rain across most of Scotland coming in at 4am on Saturday and ending at 9am on Sunday
The lowest temperature recorded on Tuesday night was minus 7.5C in Warcop, Cumbria, and the average low for the whole nation is 4C at this time of year.
On Tuesday, Altnaharra in Sutherland, saw 14cm of snow while 8cm was recorded at Loch Glascarnoch in Ross-shire, and 6cm in Thorncliffe, Staffordshire.
More than 100 schools or nurseries were closed in Scotland on Wednesday because of the weather, with 52 shut in the Highland Council area, 51 in Aberdeenshire, 11 in Moray and two in Shetland.
A sharp rise in vehicle breakdowns has also been reported as drivers' batteries failed on Wednesday morning due to cold weather, the RAC said.
The AA has predicted "a major increase in (its) workload" due to sub-zero temperatures, snow and ice, and it urged drivers to check forecasts before travelling and to do so with "extreme caution" in the hardest-hit areas.
RAC Breakdown spokeswoman, Alice Simpson said: "The first taste of winter means drivers are suddenly contending with the some of the worst road conditions we've seen all year.
"With freezing temperatures already causing disruption in the east and north of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and snow showers now affecting regions further south, we advise motorists to plan well as ice forms on untreated surfaces."
Another RAC spokesperson, Rod Dennis, called on motorists to properly de-ice vehicles and ensure the entire windscreen is clear rather than rushing out of the house "with a tiny little space" to see the road.
He added: "We've seen, as you would probably expect, a really sharp rise in breakdowns - predominantly from a lot of people's batteries failing in the cold, which is inevitable."
"Adopt a cautious driving style" in areas with risk of black ice and "be gentle on the accelerator, never be tempted to step on the brake" as it could cause issues on slippery roads, he said.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued the first amber cold weather health alert of the season, warning conditions could be dangerous for vulnerable people, including the elderly.