Scotland's weather: New ice and snow warning issued for tonight

Motorists face further difficult driving conditions across much of Scotland tonight from a new severe warning for ice and snow.

Two crashes halted westbound traffic on the A8 and M8 at Newhouse in North Lanarkshire this morning. Picture: Traffic Scotland

A yellow - "be aware" - alert was issued by the Met Office for 8pm until 9am tomorrow.

It covers the whole country apart from southern Scotland and parts of Aberdeenshire and Tayside.

The warning follows snow causing major problems during this morning's rush hour: http://www.scotsman.com/news/transport/scotland-weather-snow-disrupts-major-transport-routes-1-4398462

The ice and snow warning covers most of Scotland tonight. Picture: Met Office

Freezing conditions overnight are forecast to persist across much of Scotland until Thursday, before temperatures rise at the weekend to 13C in parts.

A Met Office spokeswoman said: "Wintry showers will become confined to the Northern Isles and northern Scotland overnight, with icy patches forming.

"There is a chance of difficult driving conditions on untreated roads and slippery conditions on pavements.

"A further 1-2cm of snow is likely locally, mainly across higher ground of the north, with locally 5cm over higher parts of Sutherland and Wester Ross.

The ice and snow warning covers most of Scotland tonight. Picture: Met Office

"Following wintry showers, temperatures are expected to fall below freezing widely overnight, with ice forming on untreated surfaces."

Overnight temperatures are forecast to remain below zero until Thursday night, with -3C in parts of Lanarkshire tonight, -2C in Glasgow Braemar and -1C in Edinburgh and Aviemore.

However, it is expected to become significantly milder by Saturday, with 13C in areas such as Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aviemore.