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Daily Record

Lifestyle

Lucy Farrell

Snow update as Scotland records -16C in coldest March temperature in 13 years

Scotland Met Office Braemar

Scotland woke up to a chilly start this morning as the nation recorded the coldest night of the year, with yellow weather warnings in place for most of the country.

The Met office has issued a fresh weather alert on Thursday for snow and ice covering the northeast this weekend. The alert is in place for Saturday, March 11 at 3pm, lasting until 6am on Sunday, March 12.

A further 15cm of snowfall is predicted which may form into blizzards due to accompanying high winds. The latest warning is urging motorists to take caution on roads and of possible travel disruptions.

Temperatures plummeted to an icy -16C in Altnaharra in the early hours of Thursday morning, according to the Met Office. This is the lowest minimum temperature recorded in the UK in March since the same month back in 2010 - when Braemar experienced -18.6C chills.

Weather maps show further snowfall across Scotland on Thursday after a deluge of blizzards dumped several inches this week.

It comes as bone-chilling Arctic air swept the country on Wednesday night but particularly in the far north. Regions across the UK experienced below zero temperatures, with several weather warnings also in place.

Snow map shows a second yellow weather warning is in place for Thursday and Friday (Met Office)

This comes as weather alert for snow is in force for regions across the central belt, Dumfries &Galloway and Lothian & Borders. Forecasters are predicting up to 16 inches - or 40cm - of heavy snow with the potential to cause widespread disruption until Friday at 2pm.

Meanwhile, a separate alert in the northeast warns of snow showers and ice until 10am on Wednesday. With snowfall beginning on Monday, parts of the country have already been affected by road and school closures.

A yellow weather warning is in place for Thursday and Friday (Met OFfice)

Here's what you should know about Scotland's latest weather warning, including how long it will last and areas affected.

Scots have been asked to "urgently review" travel plans as accompanying winds may result in blizzards. Both warnings are heading of delays on roads and railways, as well as possible cancelations for air and boat journeys.

Motorists should take caution and even cancel journeys where possible, as icy roads may result in abandoned vehicles. Anyone getting behind the wheel is being urged to pack essentials in case of a breakdown.

Dale Hipkiss, National Network Manager at National Highways, said: “Keeping a kit of essential items like a torch and warm clothes, in your vehicle, can be vital in case you and your passengers become stranded in winter. Freezing conditions bring so many hazards such as snow and ice and take every possible step to understand your journey in advance and allow lots of extra time when travelling to prepare for the unexpected.

“It is therefore always important to plan ahead for your journey, listen to the weather forecasts, and if weather conditions become challenging, adjust your driving behaviour and take extra care.”

Beyond Friday, cold temperatures are set to continue into the weekend, but will turn milder on Saturday. However, this will be accompanied by unsettled rain and strong winds.

Scotland yellow weather warning - snow and ice

Scotland is to see more snow over the weekend (Met Office)

When: 3pm Saturday, March 11 until 6am Sunday, March 12.

The Met Office have issued a fresh yellow warning for snow and ice in north Scotland, which will begin at 3pm this Saturday and last until Sunday morning at 6am.

The Met Office said: "Snow will likely turn to sleet or rain at times at lower elevations, especially in the south of the warning area, as well as near eastern coasts. At low levels including major cities such as Manchester, Liverpool and Newcastle accumulations are expected to be limited with a small chance of 2-5 cm falling.

"However, significant snow accumulations are possible over hills of northern England (including populated areas of South and West Yorkshire), Northern Ireland and southern Scotland. Here, 10-15 cm is expected quite widely above 100 metres, with a chance that 25-40 cm could fall in some places. Additionally, there is potential for strong winds, which may lead to blizzard conditions and drifting of lying snow."