Live: Heavy snowfall across Scotland

Summary

Met Office issues amber warning for snow until 8:00 on Wednesday
Heavy snowfall overnight and through the morning causes transport disruption
Thousands of children enjoy a "snow day" as schools across the country close
Forecasters predict the big chill will last until at least Friday

Live Reporting

Giancarlo Rinaldi and Nichola Rutherford

Emergency communications team mobilised in Dumfries and Gallowaypublished at 14:27 Greenwich Mean Time 16 January 2018
The south-west of Scotland looks likely to be one of the regions worst-affected by snowfall this evening and overnight.
In response, an emergency communications team is being mobilised to inform the public about ongoing incidents across Dumfries and Galloway.
Image source, Police Scotland
DG Vost (virtual operations support team) will post updates on their Facebook page, external from 18:00 as the snow moves in.
"The multi agency team will update you on road closures and provide advice to keep safe as the situation develops," they said.
Snowflakes spotted in Inverness againpublished at 14:17 Greenwich Mean Time 16 January 2018
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Sir Andy Flurry: Gritter names are an online hitpublished at 14:07 Greenwich Mean Time 16 January 2018
Scotland has a set of surprise heroes - in the form of road gritters.
Thanks to social media, Traffic Scotland's fleet of light-flashing, salt-spraying kings of the road has become a bit of a sensation.
Image source, Traffic Scotland
Followers have been glued to their screens following the roads authority's Gritter Tracker, external.
They were surprised to find out the vehicles had humorous names like Sir Andy Flurry, Sir Salter Scott and Gritty Gritty Bang Bang.
Read the full story here.
Weather forces schools' early closurepublished at 13:55 Greenwich Mean Time 16 January 2018
Auchinleck Academy and Cumnock Academy are among a number of schools in East Ayrshire which will close early today.
With an amber warning for snow and ice due to come into force at 15:00, officials say they want to ensure all pupils and staff get home safely.
Full details are on the East Ayrshire Council website, external.
Total of 25cm of snow falls on Eskdalemuirpublished at 13:46 Greenwich Mean Time 16 January 2018
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The latest forecast from BBC Scotland weatherpublished at 13:34 Greenwich Mean Time 16 January 2018
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Your pictures of wintry conditions across the countrypublished at 13:22 Greenwich Mean Time 16 January 2018
Thanks to all our readers who have sent us pictures of the snow in Scotland this morning.
Send your photographs of the cold snap to scotlandpictures@bbc.co.uk or Tweet them to @bbcscotlandnews.
Image source, Colin Mackenzie
Image caption,
The Falls of Dochart, at Killin, Stirlingshire
Image source, Jacki Mactaggart
Image caption,
Jacki Mactaggart sent in this picture of her morning walk near Balerno
Image source, Alistair/ BBC Weather Watcher
Image caption,
White-out conditions in Aviemore photographed by a BBC Weather Watcher
Image source, Leon/ BBC Weather Watcher
Image caption,
A good couple of inches of snow at Beattock, Dumfries and Galloway
Latest on road conditions from BBC Scotland Travelpublished at 13:14 Greenwich Mean Time 16 January 2018
BBC Scotland Travel
- In Aberdeenshire take care on the A93 Braemar to Spittal of Glenshee where snow is causing dangerous driving conditions.
- The A83 at Loch Fyne is closed in both directions following accident investigation work. Drivers are advised to use an alternative route as there is no diversion in place and it may be closed for most of the day.
- An accident is partially blocking the road on the A9 in Dunblane, drivers can expect longer than normal delays.
- Snow and icy conditions causing queuing traffic on the M74 Southbound between J10 (Lesmahagow) and J11 at (Poneil).
- There has been an accident on Ayr Road between Gateside Road in Dalmellington and the Bankfield roundabout. Snow in the area is making it difficult to recover the vehicles so it is likely to remain closed for some time.
- Dumfries and Galloway A74(M) traffic is returning to normal following jackknifed lorries at Moffat.
College closes as weather worsenspublished at 12:54 Greenwich Mean Time 16 January 2018
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Fife Police: 'Please only travel if absolutely necessary'published at 12:43 Greenwich Mean Time 16 January 2018
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Weather forces exams to be rescheduledpublished at 12:34 Greenwich Mean Time 16 January 2018
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Thousands of children enjoy a day off schoolpublished at 12:20 Greenwich Mean Time 16 January 2018
Many children are enjoying a "snow day" after dozens of headteachers decided to close their schools this morning, following heavy snowfall overnight.
The Highlands and Dumfries and Galloway are the worst affected regions, but there are also a small number of closures in the East Ayrshire and Stirling Council areas.
However, even those pupils who made it to the classroom made sure they enjoyed the snow while they could, as these photos show....
Wintry weather to last the rest of the weekpublished at 12:07 Greenwich Mean Time 16 January 2018
The big chill looks set to last until at least Friday, according to the latest weather warning issued by the Met Office.
Heavy snow showers are likely to fall over large swathes of the country on Thursday and Friday, causing travel delays and public transport cancellations.
The official forecasters have extended their yellow weather warning for snow and ice until 23:55 on Friday.
Image source, Met Office
Heavy snowfall overnight across Scotlandpublished at 11:50 Greenwich Mean Time 16 January 2018
The upgraded weather warning follows heavy snowfall across much of the country overnight.
It has led to disruption on the roads, with lorries jackknifing on the A9 and the M74.
Image source, Graham/ BBC Weather Watcher
Image caption,
Snow fell on Dunblane overnight
Image source, Moira Clink
Image caption,
This car went off the road in Hermitage Drive, Edinburgh
Motorists travelling from Glasgow to Edinburgh have been asked to avoid the M8 as the wintry conditions have led to lengthy delays.
Tricky driving conditions also led to a series of minor accidents across the road network.
Met Office issues amber weather warning for snowpublished at 11:34 Greenwich Mean Time 16 January 2018
Official forecasters warn that large parts of Scotland will experience heavy and frequent snow showers from 15:00 on Tuesday.
They have upgraded their weather warning, external to amber for much of central, south and south-west Scotland.
Image source, Rathogirl
Image caption,
Snowy marina near Edinburgh airport
Up to 25cm of snow is expected on high ground, while up to 10cm will typically fall at lower levels.
They warned that showers may also be accompanied by hail and lightning at times, while strong winds could cause blizzard conditions and drifting.