“Thunder snow” could return to Scotland in the coming days as the country is prepares for a blast of winter weather.
Many woke up to blizzard conditions on Tuesday morning with the white stuff landing across Perthshire, Fife and even in Dundee, with pp to 8in predicted in the highest regions.
Roads including the A9 Perth to Inverness road have been affected, with a jack-knifed lorry closing the route for two and a half hours this morning.
The M90 Perth to Edinburgh road is also said to have been hit by the snowy conditions.
Police have warned drivers to be cautious on the roads with the M8 Glasgow to Edinburgh road also said to be tricky.
And snow, sleet and hail is forecast to continue until Wednesday with lightning strikes forecast in parts of Scotland. Locals have been warned to expect powercuts and travel disruption.
A Met Office yellow warning of snow and ice in place across Tayside, Fife, Central Scotland, Grampian, Lothian, the south-west, the Borders, Strathclyde, the Highlands and the Western Isles until 6pm on Wednesday.
The organisation’s chief forecaster said: “Snow showers will be heaviest and most frequent across western Scotland, where high ground is likely to see 10-20 cm (3.9in – 7.8in) building up above 200-300m (656ft – 984ft).
“There may also be more than 15 cm (5.9in) over the hills of Northern Ireland, especially in the north.
“At low levels throughout the warning area, 2cm -8 cm (0.8in – 3.1in) will be more typical, with some places seeing very little. Showers will be accompanied by hail and lightning at times, particularly across western Scotland.
“Here, in particular, there is potential for disruption to power supplies from lightning strikes. Strong winds bring the potential for temporary blizzard conditions and drifting of lying snow, mainly over high ground.”
Photos of Tuesday’s snow have been posted to social media:
Here's our latest pics from the weather stations across the #A9 between Drumochter and Inverness
our pals @nwtrunkroads working hard to keep the roads open this morning #winterinfo pic.twitter.com/3e617O32Tv
— Traffic Scotland (@trafficscotland) January 16, 2018
?❄️ huge chunky flakes falling in Boat of Garten this morning. Perfect weather for a Defender adventure! #hireme #defender110 #landroverdefender #snow #aviemore #boatofgarten #cairngorms #cairngormnationalpark #scotland #scottishhighlands pic.twitter.com/cdmqvIYk8E
— Highland Defenders (@HDefenderHire) January 16, 2018
It’s like Narnia here in #Armadale this morning!! @WindyWilson88 pic.twitter.com/mvPsyIh5am
— Claire Jamieson (@weeclairemcg) January 16, 2018
White stuff to be in all day #snow #Scotland if it stops maybe snowman later ? pic.twitter.com/8flQaitr54
— Haggisboy (@hagg1sboy) January 16, 2018
Snow forecast all day across Scotland. Take extra care on the roads #opparamount
— Dunfermline Police (@DunfermlinePol) January 16, 2018
#Fife seems to be beating #Dundee on the #snow ❄️ front this morning, but it’s a close run race. I know it’s not enough snow for a snowman ⛄️, but it is relaxing when you’re driving through snow and you can see it bouncing off the windscreen! pic.twitter.com/wMxL7Po3ps
— ???? ???????? ✈️ (@k_getchell) January 16, 2018
Edinburgh Castle ?❄️ #edinburgh #castle #scotland #winter #snow https://t.co/CvYdRk41GY pic.twitter.com/S1jM2ljavG
— John Thomson (@JohnThomson_) January 16, 2018
Looking at the #M8 between Glasgow and Edinburgh at the moment. Some wintry conditions being experienced at the moment. Please drive to the road conditions and take care. pic.twitter.com/fjgtNDk5IP
— Traffic Scotland (@trafficscotland) January 16, 2018
Just woke up to this ❄️❄️❄️ #snowday #snow #scotland pic.twitter.com/6XAcvoGi13
— Sean Bowes (@BlueFire94) January 16, 2018
Got a bit of #snow in Scotland this morning ? pic.twitter.com/ttLi2FiVih
— Kenny ? (@stickerboy) January 16, 2018
All routes have been treated and teams are still out working hard to carry out further treatments as required – 27 gritters still out across the north east network just now! Yellow warnings for #ice & #snow in place – please #DriveSafe if out!
— BEAR NE Trunk Roads (@NETrunkRoads) January 16, 2018