Summary

  • The Met Office has issued a red warning for snow for parts of central Scotland

  • The extreme weather warning runs from 15:00 on Wednesday until 10:00 on Thursday.

  • People are being advised not to travel in the worst affected areas unless absolutely necessary

  • Most schools in Scotland are closed on Wednesday and Thursday

  • Glasgow Airport is closed and buses and trains in the red warning area have stopped

Live Reporting

Nichola Rutherford, Steven Brocklehurst and Graham Fraser

  1. Police close Toll of Birness road

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy and privacy policy before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.

  2. Vital supplies being delivered to patients in south west Scotland

    Dumfries and Galloway's Virtual Operations Support Team (DGVost) has been activated and is co-ordinating emergency activity in the region.

    Ch Insp Stuart Davidson said: "We have got 4x4 activity responding through the Moffat Mountain Rescue Team (MMRT) to go and help people particularly in the Beattock area.

    DGVost

    The virtual operations support team has been activated

    "We have had a call already from a district nurse to get insulin to somebody.

    "We have activated the MMRT to go and take the doctor to the home."

  3. Perhaps this is not a day for sightseeing

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy and privacy policy before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.

  4. Transport Secretary: ScotRail to wind down services in red alert area.

    Humza Yousaf told BBC Radio Scotland's John Beattie programm the red warning could mean "danger to people's lives" if they chose to ignore travel advice.

    He added: "It couldn't be clearer, couldn't be simpler - don't travel, avoid travel, because if you do you will not only be disrupted but, as I said, potentially putting yourself and others into danger."

    "I've just been on the phone to the MD of ScotRail and they will be winding down their services and suspending them and cancelling them in the red area from 15:00 until 10:00 tomorrow.

    "That's important to do not just for the welfare of customers, passengers, but clearly for the welfare of ScotRail staff who have to try to get home early.

    "And that's the message that I have to emphasise. If you have gone to work and you are in that red area, you should try to get home before 15:00.

    "We're doing our best to talk to employers so they can be as flexible as possible too."

  5. Many schools to remain closed tomorrow

    Children across the country are set to enjoy a second snow day, as a number of local authorities confirm that their schools will remain shut on Thursday.

    They are:

    • Glasgow City Council
    • Clackmannanshire Council
    • Midlothian Council
    • Falkirk Council
    • West Dunbartonshire Council
    • Scottish Borders Council

    Others will confirm their position soon

    Glasgow Caledonian University has also confirmed it will be shut on Thursday.

  6. Transport Minister urges people to avoid travelling and leave work early

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy and privacy policy before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.

  7. Deer take a stroll on Dunkeld street

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy and privacy policy before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.

  8. Schools update - Clackmannanshire pupils staying off

    Clackmannanshire Council confirms that its schools - which were closed on Wednesday - would remain shut on Thursday.

  9. Schools updated - Extra snow day in Falkirk

    Falkirk Council has confirmed that all its schools and nurseries will be closed again on Thursday.

  10. Schools update - West Dunbartonshire pupils staying off

    West Dunbartonshire Council has confirmed that its schools - which were closed on Wednesday - would remain shut on Thursday.

  11. BBC weatherman urges people to take action after 'exceptionally rare' red warning

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy and privacy policy before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.

  12. Traffic Scotland boss urges people to go home early from work if you can

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy and privacy policy before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.

  13. In pictures: Fun on skis and sledges in Edinburgh

    Two people on skis in Edinburgh park
    Sledging in Edinburgh park

  14. The latest from BBC Scotland Travel

    Snow and ice is causing disruption across most of the country - the advice is don't travel unless absolutely vital and conditions in many parts are treacherous.

    • The A941 Elgin to Aberlour (as in sour) road. Police are tweeting to say vehicles struggling in the snow at Rothes.
    • Whiteout on the A95 Aberlour to Boat of Garten and on the A975 Peterhead to Cruden Bay.
    • The A952 Toll of Birness to Mintlaw road is clsoed but the A90 is now open again at Ellon, though conditions are poor.
    • The B974 Banchory - Fettercairn road is closed, as is A93 Braemar - Spittal of Glenshee and the A939 Cockbridge - Tomintoul.
    • The Tay Road Bridge closed to double deckers, the Forth Road Bridge is closed - so buses diverting onto the Queensferry Crossing M90 Kinross.
    • An accident blocking a lane southbound at J6 Kinross. A92 Fife - snow causing problems from Glenrothes through to Crossgates at the M90.
    • And the M90 Fife looking pretty grim north of the Forth Road Bridge.
    • White-out in Falkirk. The M80 Stirling - Glasgow is down to one lane in parts with very poor visibility.
    • M8 Glasgow secondary carriageway blcoked eastbound at J22 Plantation by an accident. This is the dedicated lane for the M74/ Tradeston and affecting traffic coming off the M77.
    • The M77 down to one lane in stretches from J7 Fenwick to the M8 at Kinnign Park.
    • The M74 closed northbound J8 Canderside to J7 Larkhall - Glasgow bound traffic queuing here.
    • Police say all roads in Dumfries and Galloway currently open but several accidents in the area. A74 Lockerbie South, A75 at Annan & A711 near Dalbeattie.
    • The A68 is particularly bad - between Soutra and Carter Bar. We've had several vehicles stuck in the snow. THe B6364 Greenlaw to Kelso road is clsoed, and hearing of car on it's roof on the A7 North of Galashiels, and the the A1 looks horrendous too.
    • The A697 closed betyween Carfraemill and Greenlaw closed now.
    • Glasgow Airport runway clsoed until 1pm - passengers should check with their airline
    • Severe disruption on rail networks too.

  15. Network Rail working to clear the train tracks

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy and privacy policy before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.

  16. First minister says 'take care' after red warning issued

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy and privacy policy before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.

  17. Met Office: 'Take care if you are out and about this afternoon'

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy and privacy policy before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.

  18. Red warning: 'Heavier and more prolonged' snow forecast

    The Met Office chief forecaster has issued a red warning for snow for parts of central Scotland.

    Snow showers already affecting the area will become heavier and more prolonged later on Wednesday afternoon and at times through the evening and overnight period, with 5cm of snow falling within an hour in some places and lying snow reaching 20-30cm and possibly 40cm in a few places by mid morning on Thursday. "

    Chief forecaster, Met Office

    The agency says that it is likely to lead to roads becoming blocked with deep snow, stranding vehicles and passengers.

    It will lead to long delays and cancellations on bus, rail and air services.

    Rural communities could be cut off for several days and there could be long interruptions to power supplies.

  19. Transport secretary: Is your journey absolutely essential?

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy and privacy policy before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post 2

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy and privacy policy before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.

  20. Spate of accidents on snow-covered roads

    A woman walked away from a crash with cuts and bruises after her car came off the snow and ice-covered A938 in the Highlands.

    Her car skidded, then flipped before landing back on its wheels in a ditch on the road between Carrbridge and Dulnain.

    The accident happened at about 08:15 when temperatures were about -6C.

    Car crash