Most airlines have cancelled their operations from Edinburgh Airport until lunchtime

Alex Hynes, managing director of the ScotRail Alliance, says a majority of services will not run until the weather improves.

He said: "Clearly we are managing some extreme weather conditions.

"No services will run where the red weather alert applies.

"We will seek to introduce a limited service once that red weather alert has left.

"We are operating a limited number of services in the Aberdeen to Inverness area but our message today is 'please don't travel with us, it is extremely challenging weather conditions and the most important thing is to guarantee the safety of both our customers and our staff."

Giancarlo Rinaldi
South Scotland reporter, BBC news website

The running total for school closures today in Dumfries and Galloway is currently 70.

The latest situation is available via the council's website., external

All schools in the neighbouring Scottish Borders are shut again today.

Image source, PA

Police Scotland said they were "responding to a build of vehicles on the M80/M876 around junction 8 with some cars and lorries becoming stuck".

"There is currently a significant tailback and we would urge drivers to avoid the area."

They said the M80 was blocked between Cumbernauld and the Bonnybridge junction for rush hour and much of the evening.

At its height there were an estimated 1,000 vehicles at a standstill, with tailbacks of approximately 8 miles both north and southbound.

Superintendent Helen Harrison said: “We are now 24 hours into the red and amber-related advice not to travel on the roads and rush hour last night was noticeably less busy thanks to people heeding our message. It remains the same this rush hour coming – do not travel.

“Many of those people who did go out yesterday faced treacherous conditions, blocked roads, being stuck in their vehicles or even being involved in collisions.

"We do not want anyone to put themselves or others at risk in these conditions."

Friends Leanne McKillop and Yvonne Davies have spent the evening at Glasgow Airport where they say they have had nothing to eat and nothing to sleep on.

Leanne told BBC Breakfast: "We have been stuck here since 10am yesterday morning.

"The airlines basically just walked away saying it was to do with the airport.

"The airport are saying it is to do with us.

"There are people sleeping on the floor, there were not enough blankets. There was bedding for about 100 people and there are about 500 people here.

She added: "Our flight is meant to be going at 12:30 today but we don't know - it is a case of wait and see."

Image source, INSTAGRAM/@SCOTTFILMS/via REUTERS

Glasgow Airport has said it will remain closed until at least 3pm.

A spokesman said: "Further snow is forecast during the day which will make travel conditions to and from the airport extremely challenging. This decision has been taken with the safety of passengers and staff in mind.

"Our teams have been clearing snow continually since Tuesday evening and will continue to do so throughout the day. We would advise passengers not to travel to the airport and anyone with travel plans should contact their airline directly for specific flight information."

Dundee City Council has announced that all schools are closed today.

It was one of the few councils to keep schools open on Wednesday

Jamie McIvor
BBC Scotland education correspondent

It is going to be another day off school for most children.

Around two-thirds of schools will remain closed today, a number of councils confirming yesterday - especially in the areas covered by the red alert - that all schools will be closed.

Where it is not clear whether a school may be closed or not outside the red zone the best advice is to check council websites.

Jamie McIvor
BBC Scotland

Hundreds of people have spent the night trapped by snow on the M80 and adjoining motorways in central Scotland Police appealed to people to stay put until help arrives.

A red weather alert remains in place covering central Scotland, Tayside and Fife, south west Scotland, Lothian and the Borders.

Several inches of snow has fallen and many roads are treacherous.

Police Scotland say all travel should be avoided in the red alert are unless it's absolutely essential.

The M80 is completely closed between junctions 9 and 8, with a number of vehicles getting stuck and other being abandoned.

ScotRail say there will be no trains in the area covered by the red alert.

Glasgow city centre is covered by several inches of snow and Glasgow airport will be closed until at least 11:00.

About two-thirds of schools in Scotland remain closed.

James Shaw
BBC Scotland reporter

Image source, PA

There have been huge problems overnight.

We know about a lot of people stuck on the M80 motorway, north east of Glasgow. We know that about 200 people were also trapped at Glasgow Airport last night, getting supplies from the Red Cross but, if you will forgive the expression, I think that is the tip of the iceberg.

I think there are hundreds and thousands of stories across the central belt, pretty much everyone will be telling this morning about this extreme weather has affected their lives.

Giancarlo Rinaldi
South Scotland reporter, BBC news website

Scottish Borders Council has reiterated a police message to avoid travel by road.

It said conditions were "extremely hazardous" across the region, including many A roads, with reports of drifts up to 6ft in places.

A spokesman added that snowploughs had been out overnight and the morning shift was now targeting primary routes.

Nicola Lee has been stuck on the M80 southbound overnight. She says traffic is at a complete standstill.

She told the BBC: "It's not too bad. We are in the car and we are warm. There's not much to look at it's like a car park.

"Earlier on, it seems like days ago now, there were people walking up and down. Residents from the local area have been bringing food and drink out. I saw Mountain Rescue about four or five hours ago coming past with water. So there has been people with supplies."