Lorry jackknifes on A9 as wintry weather grips Scotland

Multiple snow and ice warnings have been issued across the country as a cold snap grips Scotland this week.

A yellow snow and ice warning came into force across Northern Scotland, including the Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland and Aberdeen, from 6pm on Tuesday and will remain in place until 9pm on Thursday.

Another alert will see ice hit parts of the Central Belt, Fife, Angus, the Scottish Borders and Dumfries and Galloway from 4pm on Tuesday until 11am on Wednesday.

The Met Office said rain and hill snow, followed by clearing skies, will lead to the risk of icy patches while frequent snow showers are expected, with up to 20cm of snow likely in higher ground areas.

A snow and ice warning covering most of the mainland, the Hebrides, Orkney and Shetland comes into force at 6pm on Tuesday and is in effect until 9pm on Thursday. STV News

Overnight showers and low temperatures will bring the risk of ice, especially in the north. There is a likelihood of some icy patches on untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths. The public has been warned to take care in case of injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces.

Snow is expected on hills above 300 metres. Meteorologists said there could be as much as 10cm of snow on high ground.

The public has been warned to take care in case of injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces.

Met Office chief forecaster Neil Armstrong said: “Cold Arctic air from the north is firmly in charge of the UK’s weather, bringing the first notable cold snap of this autumn and giving an early taste of winter weather.

“As a result, winter hazards are likely through the next few days, with snow and ice a particular hazard, and the coldest conditions likely on Wednesday and Thursday.

“Wintry showers will affect areas exposed to the brisk northerly wind, in particular Northern Ireland, south-west Wales, south-west England, north-east England and across the northern half of Scotland.

“Whilst not all places will see lying snow, where showers are most frequent accumulations of 2-5cm will be possible. On higher ground in Scotland 15-20cm could accumulate and potentially as much as 15-25cm over the North York Moors and Yorkshire Wolds.”

Higher roads such as the A9, A95, A96, A68 and A7 could see several centimetres of snow settle during Tuesday afternoon and evening.

Police Scotland issued an update on Wednesday morning confirming that the A9 at Dunbeath has been closed down after an HGV jackknifed.

It is unknown if anyone has been injured as a result.

Drivers have been asked to avoid the area at this time and Traffic Scotland warned of longer journey times.

Chance of thundersnow

There remains a chance of thundersnow hitting parts of the country, with snow and lightning forecast.

The natural phenomenon is possible in places where the upper air is coldest, allowing for some tall thunderclouds to form.

STV News Meteorologist Sean Batty said: “If there will be any in the coming days, then it’s most likely to occur in some of the heavier showers across Shetland, Orkney, the north Highland coast, as well as Moray and north Aberdeenshire – where the showers stream straight in off the sea.

“The Northern Isles is the most common area for this weather phenomenon, due to normally being the place with the coldest air – although when deep cold air spills further south this can occur anywhere.”