Storm Darcy: Scotland records UK's coldest February night since 1955 as mercury plunged to -23C this morning

The Met Office has issued yet more weather warnings as Braemar in Aberdeenshire recorded the UK’s lowest February temperature in over half a century at 8am on Thursday in an ‘extreme freeze’.

Yellow weather warning for snow and ice in parts of Scotland until weekend as Braemar plunges to -21.9C.

A yellow warning for snow and ice has been extended across parts of Scotland until midnight on Saturday as experts warn more disruption is likely.

The mercury dropped to minus 22.9C (minus 9.2F) in Braemar, Aberdeenshire, the coldest temperature recorded in the UK since 1995, the Met Office said.

Forecasters said the last time a temperature below minus 20C was recorded in the UK was December, 23, 2010.

One resident who has lived in the region for 30 years said that snowfall has reached almost one metre in some areas, the heaviest he has seen in the last 15 years.

The UK record low is -27.2C and was recorded in this area of Scotland in 1995.

The current yellow weather warning was set to remain in place until Friday at midnight, covering most of the north east of Scotland, but now the Met Office has issued an additional warning which covers most of central Scotland, and the north west of the country too.

A band of snow is forecast to move eastward from Northern Ireland, hitting Scotland and parts of England and Wales throughout the day.

Where snow does fall, 1-4cm are possible, with up to 15cm possible on higher ground.

In addition to snow, freezing rain may also fall which would lead to very slippery conditions.

Temperatures throughout today aren't expected to rise much above freezing with strengthening winds from the west creating significant wind-chill.

The Met Office has warned that some roads and railways are likely to be affected by the bad weather, with a chance of prolonged delays, stranded vehicles and cancellations across the country.

There is a chance that power cuts will occur with other services, such a mobile phone coverage, possibly being affected too.

More rural communities could become cut off as the extreme conditions persist.

Temperatures are set to plummet again overnight tonight while the risk of snow and ice remain high.

Tomorrow will bring early outbreaks of snow across south-western areas which look to clear during the morning.

Heavy cloud will break to leave a cold but mostly dry day across the country with sunny spells.

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