The weather in Scotland will experience a cold snap as the mercury is set to dip to sub-zero temperatures after a recent mini-heatwave.
The Met Office's warning is due to the arrival of Arctic air that could bring bitterly chilly weather as low as -8C this week - and will be colder than the Icelandic capital of Reykjavik.
A new weather warning for ice has been issued for Scotland's east coast, effective from 8pm Wednesday to 10am Thursday.
A few centimetres of snow in northern Scotland could accumulate on high ground today, and although a wintry mix is also likely on lower ground, it is unlikely to last for long through the day.
Temperatures have already hit below zero as Braemar was the the coldest temperature in the UK on Tuesday at a frosty -3.2C.
Scots should brace for even colder weather. Rural areas in northern Scotland could see temperatures as low as -8C on Thursday night, the Met Office predicts.
Sub-zero temperatures are possible overnight for much of the UK throughout the week.
The shock return of wintry weather ends a long spell of balmy, sunny days in Scotland this month.
The forecast will be colder than Reykjavik which is set to remain above zero for the coming week.
Wintry showers will follow for many places on Thursday and Friday ahead of an unsettled weekend.
The cold snap is expected to subside over the weekend and into next week as temperatures are likely to gradually recover to near-average.
Met Office Chief Meteorologist Steve Willington said: "Cold and unsettled weather is taking charge over much of the UK this week as cold air is drawn in from the north and brings with it the risk of rain, sleet and snow.
"Although there's still some uncertainty on the exact positioning of snow showers, the trend is for a mix of sleet and snow to fall as a cold front moves from the north to the south from late on Tuesday through to Thursday morning.
"Some clear spells are still around later in the week, with the best of any sunshine likely to be in the south and west of the UK, albeit feeling cold compared to last week."
Scotland ice weather warning
When: 8pm Wednesday to 10am Thursday
Snow and hail showers could lead to icy surfaces, with possible travel disruption.
What to expect:
- Probably some icy patches on some untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths, leading to an increased chance of accidents or injuries
- Some higher elevation roads may be also affected by snowfall, resulting in longer journey times
Regions and local authorities affected in Scotland
Central, Tayside & Fife
- Angus
- Clackmannanshire
- Dundee
- Falkirk
- Fife
- Perth and Kinross
- Stirling
Grampian
- Aberdeen
- Aberdeenshire
- Moray
Highlands & Eilean Siar
- Highland
Orkney & Shetland
- Orkney Islands
- Shetland Islands
SW Scotland, Lothian Borders
- Dumfries and Galloway
- East Lothian
- Edinburgh
- Midlothian Council
- Scottish Borders
- West Lothian
Strathclyde
- North Lanarkshire
- South Lanarkshire
UK forecast for the next five days
Turning colder with wintry showers after a spell of rain.
Today:
Rain and hill snow continuing south across England and Wales. Rather cloudy with some scattered showers ahead, but bright and cold to the north, with heavy sleet, hail and snow showers.
Tonight:
Clear spells in the north with wintry showers and a widespread frost. In the south, rain, sleet and hill snow continuing south-eastwards.
Thursday:
Rain, sleet and hill snow clearing southeast England during the morning. Elsewhere, feeling cold with sunshine and blustery wintry showers - these most frequent in the north and east.
Outlook for Friday to Sunday:
Cold for all with sunshine and wintry showers, these most frequent for eastern coastal areas. Rain or sleet may develop across western areas overnight into Saturday. Less cold Sunday.
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