Latest updates
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More than 120 schools in the north of Scotland closed for a second day - Met Office issues yellow weather warning for snow and ice across the whole of Scotland
- Most of the country to fall under weather alert until Friday
- Commuters face days of travel disruption with risk of drivers being stranded
- ScotRail says trains from Inverness to Glasgow and Edinburgh are being disrupted
- Temperatures set to plunge to as low as -15C with up to 20cm of snow on high ground
- CalMac says a number of ferry routes could be delayed or cancelled due to bad weather
A second day of wintry weather has swept over Scotland with Arctic air bringing temperatures to as low as -7C overnight.
Most of the country with will remain under a yellow weather warning for snow or ice until Friday.
The current alert from the Met Office covers the entire country but the worst of the snow storms will be felt in northern Argyll, Stirlingshire, western Fife, Falkirk, Edinburgh and the Lothians, North Lanarkshire, Glasgow, East Ayrshire and possibly Renfrewshire.
The 24-hour weather alert is in place from midnight on Tuesday for the whole day.
That will be met with two more warnings starting at midnight on Wednesday.
All of the Western Isles alongside Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Moray, Angus, Perth and Kinross, Stirling and the Highlands and Islands will be placed under a yellow alert for snow and ice.
Forecasters predict frequent heavy snow showers that will push inland as the day goes on with further disruption to schools and travel likely.
The central belt, alongside the Scottish Borders, Dundee, Perth and Fife, will escape the worst of the snowy weather but will be put under a yellow warning for ice from midnight on Wednesday until 12pm.
Thursday will bring the last of the Met Office warnings with a snow and ice alert being issued until the start of Friday.
Areas under that warning include Angus, Perth and Kinross, Stirling, Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Moray, the Western Isles, Highland, Orkney, Shetland, Dumfries and Galloway, Argyll and Bute, East Ayrshire, Inverclyde, North Ayrshire, Renfrewshire and South Ayrshire.
More disruption is expected for drivers and those using public transport.
Forecasters also warn that some rural communities could become cut off with 20cm of snow expected on higher ground.
Arctic air which is set to sweep across Scotland could see temperatures plunge as low as -15C in the coming days.
Where and when will Arctic blast hit?
STV NewsMore northern parts of Scotland have already seen heavy snowfall, with around 10-15cm being recorded in parts of Aberdeenshire and the north Highlands.
STV meteorologist Sean Batty has warned that more exposed areas in the far north and north west could see “blizzard-like” conditions with as much as 25cm of snowfall on Tuesday.
Forecasters are warning that ice along with the risk of persistent snow showers will cause travel disruption.
Road users are advised to plan ahead amid fears drivers could be left stranded, while there are warnings some rural communities could become cut off due to the snow.
Watch
Lorry crashes on AWPR causing traffic delays on Monday
There is also a small risk of power cuts which could lead to issues with mobile phone coverage.
More than 120 schools across Scotland close for a second day
It comes as more than 180 schools were forced to close across Aberdeenshire, Shetland, the Highlands and Moray on Monday.
One Tuesday morning, more than 120 schools in the north had closed.
There were 22 school closures in Aberdeenshire while almost all other schools were either opening late, facing transport issues or were partially closed.
In the Highlands, 75 schools were closed while others were partially closed or had delayed openings.
Most schools and early learning centres are closed across Shetland for a second day.
You can find information on school closures here for Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Highland, Moray, and Shetland.
ScotRail said services from Inverness to Glasgow and Edinburgh are facing disruption with passengers urged to plan ahead.
Network Rail said it had been taking “proactive steps” to protect the Highland Mainline between Perth and Inverness from signal failures.
Another yellow snow warning is due to come into effect on Wednesday across northern parts of the country.
Milder conditions are set to return as the weekend arrives, though the big thaw could lead to flooding issues and frozen ground.
Watch
Heavy snow across the north of Scotland causes school closures and traffic disruption
Stein Connelly, head of transport resilience (operations) at Transport Scotland, said: “We’re working closely with our colleagues at the Met Office and transport operators to understand the impact of snow and ice across Scotland. We’re well prepared and have well established plans in place which are now in effect.
“This cold snap is already causing difficult driving conditions in the current warning areas, with further severe impacts anticipated on Tuesday as part of the existing warnings.
“It’s important that anyone that has to travel during the warning period plans their journey in advance and allows extra time.
“Police Scotland’s official travel advice is likely to change at short notice, so it’s important people check the news and follow social media accounts for the latest advice.
“If you have to travel, please drive to the conditions. Consider what kit you might need to keep in your car in the event of those difficult conditions.
“There may also be disruption on other modes of transport, so please check with your transport operator before setting off if you’re planning to travel by rail, ferry or air.”
A man died after being pulled from a canal amid freezing temperatures in the Highlands.
Emergency services including fire and ambulance crews, including a critical care paramedic, attended the scene at the Caledonian Canal in Inverness around 9.40am on Tuesday morning.
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