Weather warning to drivers:
DRIVERS are being urged to take extra care on the roads this week amid warnings of further icy conditions including sleet and snow.
The Met Office has issued yellow “be aware” warnings for most of Scotland today, with motorists being urged to prepare for either “tricky” or “difficult” driving conditions in all areas apart from Orkney and Shetland.
Strathclyde, Central, Tayside and Fife also have warnings in place for further snow falls.
Forecasters predict temperatures will remain low, struggling to get above 2C, until the end of the week when a thaw begins as temperatures rise and wind and rain return.
Met office forecaster Gordon McKinstry said: “Monday morning will see a risk of icy patches on the roads for people heading to work, as well as outbreaks of light rain, sleet and snow.
“The yellow warning for icy conditions covers quite a swathe of Scotland, with light rain falling on to icy roads making driving conditions even more difficult.
“With some clearing skies as the week goes on, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights will be particularly cold, resulting in freezing conditions in the mornings.
“However, Thursday night will see rain all over, with Friday proving milder at temperatures of 7-8C as a thaw begins to take place.”
Large parts of the country saw substantial snow fall over the weekend as a 100-mile wide band of the white stuff brought heavy flurries to higher grounds and several centimetres to some lower-lying areas.
Parts of rural Scotland also saw temperatures drop to -10C, with Sutherland in the Highlands seeing a fall to -11.8C on Saturday night.
Around the country, many Scots enjoyed sledging, snowball fights and building snowmen as their towns and villages experienced a thick lawyer of snow. However, Traffic Scotland issued warnings of icy conditions after heavy snowfall affected the A82 Glasgow to Inverness road and the A85 Oban to Perth road on Saturday afternoon. While Transport Scotland also warned drivers of icy conditions.
The band of snow moved through western Scotland, as well as north-west England, the Midlands, and south-east England, with the weather causing flight delays at Manchester and Gatwick airports.
Several football matches were postponed due to the weather, including 10 SPFL matches, but all five snow sports centres were able to open their slopes for skiing and snowboarding.
However, climbers and hill walkers were warned that the risk of avalanches in the country’s highest hills and mountains was “considerable”.
The Sportscotland Avalanche Information Service has given the rating to six areas including northern Cairngorms, southern Cairngorms, Glen Coe, Torridon, Creag Meagaidh and Lochaber.
‘‘ The yellow warning for icy conditions covers quite a swathe of Scotland, with light rain falling on to icy roads