Forecasters fear coldest night as big chill goes on

Forecasters fear Scots will need to stay wrapped up in the days ahead with temperatures potentially plunging as low as -15C.

The freezing conditions could continue for the next 10 days amid one of the longest-running yellow warnings ever issued by Met Office forecasters.

Temperatures of minus 9.2C (15F) were recorded yesterday morning at Eskdalemuir, Dumfries and Galloway, one of the coldest nights of the year so far.

Rachel Ayres of the Met Office said: “It looks as if cold weather is going to be sticking around until next weekend. There’s no change in sight in the short term.

“There is also a continued risk of snow going through the week and that is something we will keep assessing in the coming days.”

The temperatures are expected to drop as low as -10C, although some Met Office models suggest it could get down to -15C in coming days.

Travellers faced disruption on the roads and railways yesterday with some passengers facing knock-on delays at Scottish airports after Manchester Airport shut both its runways due to falling snow.

Ryanair cancelled their early morning Dublin flight from Glasgow Airport. Passengers on the 10.30am Loganair Glasgow flight to Southampton faced a five-hour delay.

Rail passengers in the Central Belt were affected after a points failure at Newbridge Junction near Edinburgh disrupted trains to and from Helensburgh, Glasgow and Dunblane.

Trains were also halted between Girvan and Stranraer due to a signalling fault caused by frozen points.

Traffic Scotland posted pictures of icy conditions on the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route, asking drivers to make way for gritters trying to keep roads clear.

BBC Scotland Weather reporter Kirsteen Macdonald said the cold spell was expected to last for 10 days, making it the coldest December in more than a decade.

She said: “Tomorrow night is looking even colder with the mercury set to dip to -10C to -12C.

“Cold weather isn’t at all unusual for the time of year but given that we experienced a record-breaking mild November, this continued cold spell may come as a shock to people.”

Heavy snow has already caused traffic disruption across the north east of Scotland with reports of vehicles getting stuck on some routes.

Traffic Scotland said snow gates were closed on the A939 at Cock Bridge and the B974 at Cairn O’Mount in Aberdeenshire.

Meanwhile, fire and rescue chiefs warned families to keep pets away from frozen water due to the risk of falling through ice.

Jonathan Honeyman, of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, said: “While ice can look and feel solid, it can suddenly crack and cause a person or a dog to fall through and potentially become trapped under the ice. If anyone does get into difficulty on the ice, do not attempt to rescue them.”