Scotland braced for lowest temperatures of winter

A yellow weather warning for ice and snow is in place across the north of Scotland until Friday morning

Scotland could experience its lowest January temperature in 15 years overnight amid a yellow warning for snow and ice covering the north of the country.

The Met Office predicted that Thursday could see temperatures dip lower than the -14C recorded in Dalwhinnie in the Highlands last year.

It would have to fall below -16C to be recorded as the coldest January temperature in Scotland since -22.3C was logged in Altnaharra in the Highlands in 2010.

Hundreds of schools are expected to remain closed across Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Moray, the Highlands, Orkney, Shetland and the Outer Hebrides on Friday due to the alert, which is in place until 10:00.

A separate yellow weather warning for ice is also in place for parts of coastal East Lothian and the Borders until 10:00 on Friday.

The lowest temperature ever recorded anywhere in the UK was in Braemar in Aberdeenshire when it hit -27.2C on 10 January 1982.

The Met Office said the coldest temperatures were likely to be recorded in rural parts of the country.

The coldest temperature on Wednesday evening saw the mercury drop to -12C in Tulloch Bridge in the Highlands.

Forecasters said snowfall of up to 10cm could be expected at higher levels, but most within the warning zone would see flurries of 1-3cm.

In the central belt, temperatures are expected to be below freezing on Friday, but will only fall to a maximum of -3C.

The last time the temperature dropped below -20C in the UK was in February 2021 when - 23C was logged in Braemar in Aberdeenshire.

Thousands of pupils missed school on Thursday due to the conditions.

Coach operator D&E, which runs buses for schools in the Highlands, pulled its services over concerns for driver and passenger safety.

More than 100 primary schools, 24 secondary schools, 88 nurseries and three special schools were closed in the region.

In Orkney, bus services were also cancelled and prelim exams postponed at Kirkwall Grammar School.

In Aberdeenshire, 41 schools were closed while others had their opening times delayed.

All school transport provided by the Shetland Islands Council was also cancelled on Thursday, however some public bus services ran.

In the Western Isles, only one school was closed, however six had a delayed opening, while one school was closed in Moray.

Meanwhile, a number of weather and flood warnings are in place in England and Wales.

An amber cold health alert - the second-highest level - covering all regions of England, is also in place until midday on Sunday.