Scots have been warned that the recent freezing temperatures are likely to continue until the end of the week with power cuts likely to hit more homes.
In Shetland, thousands of households were left without electricity after heavy snowfall hit the region, with SSEN warning that power may not be fully restored for another couple of days.
Elsewhere in Scotland, a bone-chilling temperature of -17.5 degrees was recorded in Braemar, Aberdeenshire on Tuesday - making it the coldest place in the whole of the UK for the second day in a row.
Flights departing from Aberdeen Airport have also faced cancellations, bringing more disruption to travellers.
Parts of the country are on course for another very chilly couple of days, so here's everything we know from the Met Office about what people can expect for the rest of the week.
Heavy snow showers have been reported in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire on Wednesday, where motorists have been warned to drive with care.
Met Office spokeswoman Becky White said areas covered by the latest weather warnings could see up to 10cm of fresh snow on higher ground. “We could see a good few new centimetres of snow accumulation,” she said.
The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for snow and ice across certain regions, which has been in place since Tuesday December 13 and is expected to end at 23.59pm on Thursday, December 15.
A second snow and ice warning has been sent out covering a larger area, lasting from 6am on Friday, December 16 until midnight that night.
As well as the snow and ice alert, the Met Office has also issued a wind warning that will end at 2pm today.
Snow showers and ice are likely to cause travel disruption, with heavy snow in some places like Shetland bringing the risk of power outages for homes.
The forecaster said: "Wintry showers will affect many areas of northern Scotland and parts of northeast England, though tending to become fewer in number from later on Thursday. A few centimetres of snow are likely to accumulate at low levels with the potential for as much as 15-20 cm over higher ground.
"In addition, ice is likely to form on untreated surfaces, mainly where some of the showers fall as sleet close to coasts."
What to expect
The Met Office said that Scots should be prepared for the following conditions amid the bad weather:
- Some roads and railways likely to be affected with longer journey times by road, bus and train services
- Some injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces
- Probably some icy patches on some untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths
Regions and local authorities affected
The following areas have been placed under the current snow and ice warning.
Grampian
- Aberdeen
- Aberdeenshire
- Moray
Highlands & Eilean Siar
- Na h-Eileanan Siar
- Highland
Orkney & Shetland
- Orkney Islands
- Shetland Islands
SW Scotland, Lothian Borders
- Scottish Borders
Friday snow and ice warning
The Met Office has issued a separate warning for snow and ice on Friday, December 16, lasting from 6am until midnight.
Outbreaks of snow and icy surfaces are likely to bring some disruption, and the Met Office said: "Outbreaks of sleet and snow will spread across much of southern, central and western Scotland through Friday. 1-3 cm of snow is likely in places below 200 metres, with 5-8 cm possible above 200 metres south of the Central Belt.
"Over high ground north of the Central Belt, there is potential for 10-20cm to accumulate above 200 metres through Friday. Later in the day, snow at low levels will likely turn to rain. In addition to the snow, sleet or rain may fall onto frozen surfaces leading to some icy conditions."
What to expect
Scots can expect the following conditions during the weather warning:
- Some roads and railways likely to be affected with longer journey times by road, bus and train services
- Some injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces
- Some icy patches on some untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths
- A slight chance that power cuts occur, with the potential to affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage
Regions and local authorities affected
The forecaster has placed the following locations under the snow and ice warning:
Central, Tayside & Fife
- Angus
- Clackmannanshire
- Dundee
- Falkirk
- Fife
- Perth & Kinross
- Stirling
Grampian
- Aberdeenshire
- Moray
Highlands & Eilean Siar
- Highland
SW Scotland, Lothian Borders
- Dumfries & Galloway
- East Lothian
- Edinburgh
- Midlothian Council
- Scottish Borders
- West Lothian
Strathclyde
- Argyll & Bute
- East Ayrshire
- East Dunbartonshire
- East Renfrewshire
- Glasgow
- Inverclyde
- North Ayrshire
- North Lanarkshire
- Renfrewshire
- South Ayrshire
- South Lanarkshire
- West Dunbartonshire
Wind warning
As well as the snow and ice alert, the Met Office has also issued a wind warning that will end at 2pm today. A period of gusty northerly winds are likely today, with blustery wintry showers continuing.
What to expect
The forecaster said: "Further impacts are likely on Wednesday with a period of gusty northerly winds, widely gusts of 50mph with some gusts up to 60-65mph accompanying blustery wintery showers, especially for northern areas of Shetland.
"The showers may turn to hail with thunder and lightning possible."
In preparation for the warning, the Met Office has issued the following information:
- Some roads and bridges may close
- Power cuts may occur, with the potential to affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage
Regions and local authorities affected
Orkney & Shetland
- Shetland Islands
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