Scotland braced for heavy snowfall as -10C arctic blast expected this weekend
SCOTLAND is shivering through the coldest weekend of the winter so far with heavy snowfall and temperatures as low as -10C predicted for parts of the country.
Motorists have been warned of icy conditions with the Met Office issuing yellow weather warnings for snow and ice across most of Scotland for today.
Up to five inches of snow were expected over the mountains as the Arctic weather front continued to sweep in behind Storm Caroline, which caused power cuts and travel chaos across the country on Thursday.
Despite the freezing conditions, thousands of people including Sir Bob Geldof and several SNP ministers were set to take part in the world's largest sleep out in Edinburgh to raise money for homeless charities.
Close to 9,000 people registered for the event in Princes Street Gardens and as the mercury continued to plummet organisers Social Bite insisted the event would go ahead as planned.
Related articles
GETTY
Saturday is due to be a very cold night, with northern spots where snow is lying dropping to -10C or even -11C
A spokeswoman said: “Each person is responsible for bringing their own kit but have been provided with a check list including sleeping bags, thermal underwear and such like.
“It is going to be cold but we have an excellent team of welfare workers at Princes Street Gardens, plenty of people looking after everybody and making sure everyone is safe.”
Sleep in the Park was hosted by comedian Rob Brydon and featured a bedtime story from John Cleese as well as live music from Liam Gallagher, Deacon Blue and Amy Macdonald.
Deputy First Minister John Swinney and his Cabinet colleagues Angela Constance and Kevin Stewart were among those planning to brave the cold to spend the night outdoors.
Participants have committed to fundraise at least £100 each, with the final total expected to top £4million.
Social Bite founder Josh Littlejohn, who has previously won support from A-listers George Clooney and Leonard DiCaprio, said: "The figures for core homelessness – rough sleepers, those in bed-and-breakfast accommodation, hostels or sofa surfing – are not insurmountable.
"The total number of homeless households across Scotland is 11,000. It shouldn’t be beyond our combined wit.”
Overnight temperatures in both Edinburgh and Glasgow were expected to plunge well below zero with further cold nights predicted this week.
The Met Office snow and ice warning is in place across much of Scotland, Wales and England today with a spokesman adding, “there is a good chance that some rural communities could become cut off”.
Forecaster Mark Wilson said: "We are looking at an exceptionally-cold spell of weather, even for this time of year.
"Saturday is due to be a very cold night, with northern spots where snow is lying dropping to -10C or even -11C.
"Even cities like Glasgow can expect -5C and Edinburgh -4C. Neither city will get above freezing on Sunday.
"We will see a very hard frost indeed.
GETTY
"We have been caught up in air from the Arctic, being swept down on a northerly wind.
"This is expected to change by mid-week, when milder air from the Atlantic arrives.
"By Wednesday, we could be hitting the dizzy heights of 5C or 6C. It is nothing exceptional but at least it is warmer than what we have seen of late.
"It is winter but this has been quite chilling.
"My advice is to wrap up warm."
He also said pedestrians should be extra careful because of ice.
WXCHARTS
Police Scotland urged motorists to take “extreme care” on the roads with a spokesman adding: “We would like to advise road users in the north east areas in Aberdeen, Elgin and Moray that current weather conditions are causing a number of issues.
"Roads are currently passable with extreme care, however it is advised that drivers should only travel if absolutely necessary."
RAC spokesman Pete Williams said: “Call-outs are expected to soar on Sunday, with Monday seeing the highest number of roadside requests since last winter."
Yesterday, the chill temperatures put paid to five SPFL games at Inverness, Dumbarton, Albion Rovers, Peterhead and Stirling.
On Friday night, frozen pipes forced Dundee FC to shut the south enclosure of Dens Park for their live televised premiership clash with Aberdeen.
Fans were asked to relocate to the main stand while workmen tried to resolve the water problem.
Meanwhile the south of England is braced for a new battering from the remnants of Storm Ana, which is expected to bring "historic" wind, rain and snow across Spain.
