SCOTLAND is bracing itself for the coldest day of the winter so far, with temperatures set to plunge to double digits in the highlands this morning. Widespread disruption is expected as snow continues to fall across large parts of the UK, with forecasters warning some communities could be cut off as the weather worsens.

Yellow "be aware" warnings for snow and ice are in place for Moray, Aberdeenshire, Aberdeen as well as Eilean Siar and Highlands, where temperatures could reach -11°C. They were also in place for Dumfries and Galloway and Argyll and Bute, as well as North Ayrshire and South Ayrshire. Temperatures in both Glasgow and Edinburgh will fail to rise above freezing. Shoppers braving the cold for Christmas presents have been warned to wrap up warm and take extra care on icy pavements.

Mark Wilson of the Met Office said: "We are looking at an exceptionally-cold spell of weather, even for this time of year. Saturday is due to be a very cold night, with northern spots where snow is lying dropping to -10°C or -11°C. Even cities like Glasgow can expect -5°C and Edinburgh -4°C. Neither city will get above freezing on Sunday. We will see a very hard frost indeed.”

A total of 14cm of snow was recorded in Inverness-shire, while 12cm was recorded in Aviemore.

The Met Office said the bitterly-cold conditions may end by the middle of next week.

Wilson added: "We have been caught up in air from the Arctic, being swept down on a northerly wind. This is expected to change by mid-week, when milder air from the Atlantic arrives. By Wednesday, we could be hitting the dizzy heights of 5°C or 6°C. It is nothing exceptional but at least it is warmer than what we have seen of late.

“It is winter but this has been quite chilling. My advice is to wrap up warm.”