Scotland's weather: Arctic air set to blast snow and ice across country

Tomorrow, Storm Caroline is will bring a spell of very windy weather to northern Scotland.

Yellow wind warnings will be in place for Highlands, Grampian, Western Isles, Aberdeenshire and the Strathclyde region. Gusts of up to 80 mph are possible near north facing mainland coasts and across the Isles. Road, rail, air and ferry services may be affected, with longer journey times and cancellations possible.

As the week progresses the wind will bring cold air from the arctic that will be make some parts of the country 10 degrees colder.

Parts of Scotland are expected to see snowfall. Picture: Peter Jolly

Snow and ice warnings are in place for Thursday and Friday.

Forecaster predict up to 2-5 cm of snow is likely in the north west of Scotland with 10-20 cm possible over high ground.

Icy surfaces are likely to be an additional hazard, especially overnight and drivers have been advised by the Met Office to take care. Severe gales may cause drifting of the snow in places with blizzard conditions possible.

The Met Office has a yellow warnings in place for snow and ice on Thursday and Friday. Picture: Met Office

The heaviest and most frequent of the snow showers will progressively become confined to northeast Scotland during Saturday.

Met Office Meteorologist Aidan McGivern said: “The arctic air isn’t far away and the temperatures this week will be really up and down like a roller coaster.

“Wednesday looks particularly wet and the Scottish hills could see three or four inches of rainfall.

“As the winds change direction overnight on Wednesday we’re going to see that Arctic air sink it’s way southwards across the whole of the county and by the end of Thursday some places will be 10 degrees colder.

“That arctic air, once it covers the UK by Friday, will bring frequent snow storms particularly in the north and northwest (of Scotland)”