Schools are preparing for closures as snow hits parts of the UK due to a freezing storm known as the Troll of Trondheim.
Forecasters say the worst of the snow - which is sweeping across from Norway - could fall between December 10 to 15, as temperatures begin to plunge.
Parents are braced for a snow day with the white stuff already beginning to build up on hills in Scotland which will see the brunt of the wintry conditions.
Showers will fall across coastal counties in the north and east while the weather will become "increasingly wintry" across northern Scotland, the Met Office said.
Some head teachers in Scotland are able to take the decision to close the gates in the event of such conditions.
In the Scottish Borders for example, senior staff can made decisions about school and school nursery closures based on the latest weather forecasts.
This can also be based on information from headteachers, locally based staff and partners and Police Scotland, according to Scottish Borders Council.
A spokesperson said: "At all times, decisions regarding school closures will be taken in the interests of pupil and staff safety."
Freezing conditions are forecast across the north of Scotland tonight, bringing more snow and a yellow severe warning in place from midnight for a full 24 hours.
Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Angus, Moray, Perth and Kinross, and Highlands regions are all expected to be affected.
Councils said they are ready to shut schools on Wednesday if the anticipated Arctic conditions become disruptive for students, reports The Sun.
Weather experts forecast blizzards in the hills and on higher ground for most of the day with freezing air blowing across from the Arctic.
Drivers were warned to expect wintry conditions on the roads with some routes possibly set to see up to two inches of snow, and up to four inches on land above 200m.
Disruption to railways and the delivery of services are also expected.
Sunny spells are on the cards elsewhere in the UK on Tuesday but temperatures are set to remain nippy.
Some parts of the nation could see the mercury drop as low as -10C, with an urgent level 3 cold weather warning in place.
Meanwhile an amber wintry weather alert is in place between 6pm on Wednesday and 9am on Monday.
Health and social care teams are preparing to take action to protect high-risk groups where and when needed.
Met Office deputy chief meteorologist Rebekah Sherwin told the Sun Online : “Temperatures will start to dip this week, with daytime temperatures struggling to get above freezing in many places from mid-week onwards.
"However, the cold air from the Arctic will also bring brighter conditions, with some dry, sunny spells in many areas, particularly away from the coast.
“Showers will turn more wintry as the week goes on with a risk of snow at times. A yellow National Severe Weather Warning for snow has been issued for Wednesday covering northern Scotland."
Snow and wintry showers are expected to head further south throughout the week, affecting coastal areas or higher ground in particular, according to the meteorologist.
Widespread frosts and temperatures as low as -10C are forecast overnight by the end of the week in isolated areas.
