Cold comfort as -10C blast brings more ice and snow

FREEZING February is set to chill Scots to the bone as Norwegian air sees the mercury sink to -10C.

Even in cities such as Glasgow and Edinburgh, temperatures will drop to -5C tomorrow night and on Monday night.

In between, Scotland will be hit by showers of sleet and snow as a series of weather fronts sweeps in. Large parts of the country have been warned to expect very icy conditions this morning.

Nicky Maxey of the Met Office said: ‘It’s not just Scotland. The whole of the UK is going to find itself beneath this very cold air.

‘We’re going to be dominated by winds from the North and North-east, meaning they are very cold at this time of year.

‘At the same time, fronts are crossing the UK this weekend – there is cold air ahead of the front and cold air behind. What’s happening is the warmer air of the front is being squeezed from ahead and behind, meaning the leading edge of the front will produce showers of sleet and snow.

‘Nights are going to be particularly cold, especially in areas where snow is lying. Towns and cities will routinely see -5C while rural spots in the snow could reach -9C or -10C.’

The Met Office has issued a yellow ‘be aware’ warning for all of Scotland, save the extreme West and North. The warning – expiring at 11am today – states: ‘Over high ground in Scotland and across the higher Pennine routes, snowfall may amount to two or three centimetres (three-quarters of an inch) in places.

‘However the main hazards seem more likely to come from ice, where rain falls on frozen surfaces.

‘Journeys by car, bike and foot may take longer than normal and there is an increased risk of injuries or accidents.’