UK records coldest March night since 2010
- Published
The UK has recorded its coldest March night since 2010 after temperatures in the Highlands fell to -15.2C.
Forecasters said an Arctic blast was responsible for the record lows in Kinbrace.
All schools in Shetland have been shut for the third day in a row due to the wintry weather and there are further closures in Aberdeenshire.
The Met Office warned snow and ice could cause travel disruption in Scotland through to Friday night.
It also warned the weather could cut off rural communities.
Speaking on BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme BBC Scotland weather forecaster Joy Dunlop said: "Last night was officially the coldest March night on record in the UK since 2010."
A series of yellow "be aware" warnings have been issued.
The heaviest snowfalls are expected on Friday with the Highlands, Aberdeenshire and central and southern Scotland covered by warnings.
Emergency services were sent to a multiple-vehicle crash on the A96 at Dukewell near Huntly in Aberdeenshire at about 07:40.
The road has been closed and police have set up local diversions.
Traffic Scotland warned that low sun glare was an issue in the area.
It's a very chilly start to Wednesday for many of us
— Met Office (@metoffice) March 8, 2023
Kinbrace in Scotland dopped to -15.2 Celsius overnight, making it the coldest night of the year so far 🥶 pic.twitter.com/f7ovqgG6T6
The cold conditions follow Scotland's third-mildest February on record, according to provisional statistics.
The south of England and Wales are also impacted by snow and ice over the next few days.
The UK Health and Security Agency has issued a level three cold weather alert for the whole of England lasting until midnight on Thursday.
In January, an amber warning for snow was issued for the Highlands, Western Isles and Orkney and Shetland and the weather closed schools across the north of Scotland.