Big freeze hits so turn up your heating (while we can still afford it)

COMMUTERS will face icy patches and tricky travel conditions this morning as Arctic conditions sweep in, forecasters have warned.

The cold snap comes after two storms ravaged swathes of Scotland last weekend, leaving thousands of families without power.

It also follows the news that the cost of heating homes is set to rocket from April – with another potential hike in October.

The West of Scotland is expected to be hit by snow, ice and a sharp fall in temperatures today, with the Met Office warning that there is a risk of ‘some injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces.’

Temperatures could plummet to -4C (25F) on Sunday.

The Met Office said icy patches are most likely to be found on untreated surfaces but in some instances grit or salt may be washed off by heavy showers.

The yellow ice warning issued by the Met Office began at midnight and lasts until 11am today, with snow expected particularly across the Highlands and Grampian. Parts of Central, Tayside and Fife, Highlands and the Western Isles, South-West Scotland, Lothian and Borders, and Strathclyde are also under the yellow warning.

On Wednesday, the Met Office predicted that blizzards could hit Scotland today, although these are not mentioned in the latest forecasts. But maps by WXCharts show that up to two inches of snow could fall in some regions.

Heavy rain and gales began late yesterday, with temperatures plummeting overnight and some areas reaching -1C (30F).

Wintry showers and widespread frost are also forecasted to hit this morning.

Snow may be seen on some of the highest routes, and the Met Office’s blog states that Northern Scotland can expect snow ‘to lower levels with some accumulations, particularly across the Highlands and Grampian’.

The Met Office’s warning reads: ‘Northwesterly winds bringing cold, showery conditions, leading to icy patches overnight and into Friday morning. This is most likely on untreated surfaces, but in some places grit or salt may be washed off by heavy showers.

‘Showers will be wintry at times even to low levels, with a few centimetres of snow possible on some of the highest routes, and smaller amounts down to around 100-150 metres elevation.’

The Met Office yesterday posted on Twitter: ‘Yellow weather warning issued. Ice across parts of Scotland. Friday 0000-1100.’

Meanwhile, all homes left without power due to storms at the weekend have been reconnected.

More than 120,000 customers were left without electricity after Storm Corrie battered the country on Sunday, with wind speeds of more than 90mph recorded in places, the day after Storm Malik swept in.

Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks said last night that it has restored power to all affected properties.

Richard Gough, its director of distribution system operations, said: ‘I would like to thank our communities for their continued patience as our teams have worked hard to restore power in challenging circumstances.

‘Coming just weeks after the extensive damage caused by Storm Arwen, the dual impact of storms Malik and Corrie posed a significant and unique challenge.’

‘Injuries from slips and falls’