Minus 10! Get set for coldest night

THE coldest night of winter is on its way – with temperatures set to plunge to -10C.

The mild, settled conditions of the past week are due to give way, with the Met

Office expected to issue warnings for snow and ice tomorrow morning, when lows of

-5C (23F) could make things difficult for drivers and pedestrians.

After a chilly start to the working week, the mercury will fall even further through the night, with -10C (14F) predicted by the Met Office in the early hours of Tuesday morning. Forecaster Simon Partridge said: ‘Monday night is shaping up as the coldest night of the winter so far.

‘We did see a low of -10.3C in Scotland in November, so it’s possible that record could fall this week.

‘At the same time, snow could come down to lower levels – even in the Central Belt – but it is not going to last too long.

‘After Tuesday it’s all change again as things turn milder on Wednesday.’ Rain which began to cross Scotland last night is expected to clear the country by this afternoon.

It will be windy on the coasts, resulting in a number of CalMac ferry services being placed on alert for delay or cancellation.

Yesterday, winds gusting at more than

45mph and high swell conditions forced the cancellation of all sailings on the service between Mallaig, Oban and Lochboisdale.

Mr Partridge said: ‘There is quite a dramatic change to come for Scotland’s weather. I expect we will be issuing warnings for snow and ice for Monday and Tuesday.’