Scotland braces for freezing conditions

FORECASTERS are warning of a freezing week ahead in Scotland, with the first widespread snow showers of the winter arriving today.

The Met Office has issued a “yellow” weather warning for most of the country to make the public aware of wintry conditions.

Up to four inches of snow is expected on higher ground from tonight, but falls are also expected at lower levels, potentially hitting commuters tomorrow morning.

And forecasters have warned that the cold spell is likely to last most of next week in Scotland, with widespread frost and more snow predicted.

The change in weather will come as a shock to many after it emerged that last month was the warmest November in Scotland since records began more than 100 years ago.

Scotland already saw snow fall over the mountains yesterday, with blizzard conditions and storm-force winds on some summits.

Dave Clark, from the Met Office in Aberdeen, said the cold air would start to spread this afternoon, bringing snow showers overnight and into Monday in many areas. But he said some parts would still manage to escape the worst of the weather.

“Much of central and eastern Scotland will be OK,” Clark said. “It is coming in from a west to north-westerly flow, but we are still looking at low temperatures. There will be a widespread frost as well and the chance of ice on untreated roads.”

Clark warned that the cold spell will last throughout the week: “It lifts a bit on Tuesday evening for a time, but then there will be more snow coming into the west on Wednesday.”