Scotland's weather: Second weather warning issued for Scotland, as temperatures set to plummet to -10 as country braces for 'Arctic blast'

A second weather warning has been issued for Scotland ahead of an expected cold snap that could see temperatures plummet to -10C.

The UK is bracing itself for an ice cold snap, with temperatures in the UK predicted to sink as low as minus 10C overnight as an Arctic blast hits the nation.

A second weather warning for ice has been issued from the Met Office for parts of the Lothians and the east coast from 6pm tonight and follows a warning already in place for snow and ice for much of the north of Scotland. A warning has also been issued for parts of Wales, Northern Ireland, England’s east coast, northern Scotland and the Western Isles

Forecasters say Arctic air will move in from Wednesday evening, with the UK Health and Security Agency issuing a cold weather alert recommending people warm their homes to at least 18C (64.4F).

A second weather warning has been issued for Scotland

The Met Office said: “If you haven’t already, it’s time to dig out the winter hats, gloves and scarves – as Wednesday is looking cold.”

Forecaster Oli Claydon said: “Day to day we are in cold conditions already with that north-easterly flow, but conditions are set to get colder through the week, with the worst showers across northern Scotland but also bringing much colder conditions across all the UK.

“Overnight lows of minus 10 to minus 11 (12.2F) in areas where we do get snow in those rural parts of Scotland, with temperatures down to minus six (21.2F) in rural England.

“Cold conditions to remain through the weekend. Signs of warmer weather moving in from the southwest from Tuesday next week.

“But the signs are that the cold weather will hold in the north of the UK, so there will be a split between north and south.”

People should expect snow showers and ice to cause travel disruption and a risk of slippery surfaces, with the earlier warning from the Met Office predicting 2-5 cm of snow at lower levels, with 5-10 cm above 200 metres.

Warnings will remain in place until Thursday afternoon, but the cold weather will not begin to shift until early next week.

Age UK has advised maintaining a supply of food and medicine to reduce the number of outdoor trips and torches with spare batteries in case of a power cut.