Heavy snow is expected in Scotland over the next few hours after an amber weather warning was issued.
As much as 30cm of snow could fall in parts of the country on Tuesday, with commuters told to expect delays on main roads, including the A7, A702 and A76.
Sections of the M74 could get as much as 15-20cm of snow, while even more could fall in Wanlockhead, the highest village in the Highlands.
Higher ground in Ayrshire, and the likes of East Kilbride and Fenwick could get between 5-10cm.
Disruption elsewhere saw the Queensferry Crossing closed until Wednesday after ice fell from cables onto vehicles.
STV Meteorologist Sean Batty said: “It seems like Mother Nature has held back winter’s arrival for months and thrown it all at us in one week.
“This wintry week is going to be bookended by storms – Ciara last weekend and Dennis on his way this weekend.
“Wintry showers will continue with a few centimetres of snow to low levels in a few spots away from the coasts, but the bulk of the snow will be at higher levels.
“A spell of heavy snow will affect the Highlands and north Stirlingshire for a time this evening and overnight. Blizzard-like conditions can be expected over high ground where up to 20cm of snow may fall. At low levels this will again be a mix of rain, sleet and wet snow.
“Rain and hill snow will affect Orkney on Wednesday, with a few centimetres likely over high ground here.
“Elsewhere wintry showers will continue to move into the west, although not as many as in previous days.
“Aberdeenshire and Angus will enjoy a sunny day, however a very cold night will follow with temperatures possibly dropping as low as -12C in the Highlands, in areas where there is lying snow.
“More rain and hill snow will move into southern Scotland on Thursday along with stronger winds.”
Sean said he expected the wind to ease little in the coming days but to return by the weekend when Storm Dennis arrives.
He said: “Winds will be strongest in the north and north west on Sunday with severe gales. There’s already been a lot of disruption in the last week to the ferries and it’s likely that this weekend will see further issues.
“There is a little good news. Some of the forecast models are suggesting that high pressure will ridge in from the south next week.
“This means that the weather should settle a bit with drier conditions, especially in the south.”
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