Scotland has coldest early winter night since 1998

Yellow Stagecoach bus on side at side of road, next to a snow-covered field.
Image caption,

A bus toppled onto its side in icy conditions in Aberdeenshire

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Scotland has recorded its coldest early winter temperatures since 1998, as snow and ice covered areas of the country overnight.

Temperatures below -10C were recorded in some parts of northern Scotland, including Braemar in Aberdeenshire which reached a low of -11.2C. The last time -10.9C or lower was recorded on or before 19 November was in 1998.

Elsewhere in Aberdeenshire, a Stagecoach bus ended up on its side in icy road conditions in the New Leeds area. There were no injuries.

There are a number of yellow warnings, external in place for snow and ice in northern Scotland and along the west coast, as well as much of Northern Ireland, Wales and parts of England.

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This car was in a field off the A952 in Aberdeenshire

Image source, BBC Weather Watchers/C Bee
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A snowy road by the fields near Mintlaw in Aberdeenshire

Media caption,

Weather forecast: First taste of winter in Scotland

Tulloch Bridge near Fort William in the Highlands also reached -10.7C.

Scotland has seen not a temperature below -10C in November since 2016.

Only a handful of school across Scotland were closed, including four rural schools in Shetland, and one in Orkney, as well as one primary school and three nurseries across the Highlands.

In Aberdeenshire, Peterhead Academy was closing early due to expected conditions. Road conditions in the area were poor - a car was spotted on its side in a field off the A952.

Forecasters described it as the first taste of winter, and said temperatures across the UK were expected to be lower than the mid-November average.

Yellow weather warnings for snow and ice in northern Scotland and down the west coast last until 10:00 on Wednesday.

It means some pavements and cycle paths could become impassable and there is a small chance of travel delays with stranded vehicles, as well as potential train and air travel cancellations.

Image source, Jackie O'Brien
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Snow fell across the Highlands overnight, including at Strath of Kildonan in Sutherland

Image source, PA Media
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A dusting of snow around the chair-lift at the Glenshee Ski Centre near Braemar

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Victoria Park in Aberdeen was covered in snow by Tuesday morning

Image source, Jackie O'Brien
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A road in Sutherland during a break in the wintry weather

Image source, Doric/BBC weather Watchers
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A wintry scene at Inverurie in Aberdeenshire

Image source, Jay Walker/BBC Weather Watchers
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BBC Weather Watcher Jay Walker's picture shows the Five Sisters of Kintail from the top of Mam Ratagan Pass near Shiel Bridge

Meanwhile, the Scottish Avalanche Information Service, external has said its new season of forecasts for six mountain areas would start on 12 December.

BBC Weather says forecasting snow is difficult at lower levels, especially in mid-November when the ground and surrounding seas are still relatively warm compared to midwinter.

By this coming weekend, forecasters are expecting the cold air to be replaced by milder south-westerly winds - with potentially wet and very windy weather sweeping in.

As the wetter weather moves northwards there remains the risk of some snow, before it quickly thaws.

Image source, Chris Booth
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Braemar recorded the coldest temperature in Scotland this morning

Image source, BBC Weather Watchers/Skye nurse
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People have been warned of travel delays, with icy roads seen in Portree in Skye

Image source, BBC Weather Watchers/K's washing line
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A brisk morning walk by the fields near Ashtown in Aberdeen

Image source, Biba/BBC Weather Watchers
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A chilly scene by the sea in Brora, Sutherland

Image source, Sarah J/BBC Weather Watchers
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BBC Weather Watcher Sarah J took this image in Shetland