Milder weather in prospect after drivers slide home through snow
More snow warnings have been issued for tomorrow, but forecasters said milder weather lay ahead with temperatures up to 12C by midweek.
The expected end of a weeklong cold snap follows heavy snow across southern Scotland that prompted police to tell drivers to stay off the roads.
Long queues built up on major roads as commuters, urged to leave work early, slithered home.
Vehicles struggling in the conditions caused hold-ups, including on the M77 south of Glasgow. Therewasmajordisruption on the M74 in South Lanarkshire last night after a lorry crashed through the central reservation barrier.
North-bound traffic was able to pass the scene in lane one, while motorists heading in the opposite direction had to use the hard shoulder.
Stagecoach suspended its Kilmarnock-stewarton service as the A735 was closed between Kilmaurs and Stewarton.
Many schools, councils and universities closed early.
Scotrail passengers were delayed more than an hour on the Glasgow-oban/mallaig line at Crianlarich.
Amber and yellow severe weather warnings were in force for much of Scotland until 10pm last night.
They were followed by a yellow warning for ice across the whole country, apart from the north east, from midnight to 10am today, with up to another 3cm of snow also forecast.
More snow is expected tomorrow, when another yellow warning will be in force from 6am to 6pm over most of inland Scotland south of the Highlands.
The Met Office said 1cm3cm was expected over lower ground and 3cm-15cm at higher levels.
Its warning stated: “The snow is more likely to affect higher routes, with lower levels only affected more locally.
“In addition, rain may fall onto frozen surfaces for a time, following a very cold
“Temperatures across Scotland by the middle of next week could approach double figures in some locations, with a high of possibly 11 or 12C”