Roads closed with more snow on the horizon following a day of delays and disruption.
Temperatures have barely risen above 2C today as the region freezes in the winter’s first cold snap.
In Aberdeenshire, the mercury fell to -11.5C overnight, as people woke this morning to icy conditions and travel disruption.
The adverse weather forced dozens of schools to close resulting in thousands of pupils being sent home early.
Meanwhile, households in Shetland and Cullen were left in the dark due to unplanned power cuts.
Forecasters are warning that more misery could be on the horizon as two yellow weather warnings for snow and ice remain in force.
Road delays
In the Highlands, adverse weather has forced the closure of the B9176 Struie Road, linking the A9 Inverness to Thurso Road and the A836 road to Bonar Bridge.
A bus also toppled over on the A952 near New Leeds between Mintlaw and Lonmay this morning.
The road has since been cleared.
Gritters from Aberdeen City Council have been out in force covering all primary routes twice to mitigate disruption.
In a statement, a spokesperson said: “We gritted the primary routes (the main roads which are about 50% of the roads network) twice overnight due to the weather forecast of more snow and road surface temperatures from -4.9C to -1C across the city.
“The gritters were out at 6pm and at 4.45am.
“Be aware there is a Met Office yellow warning in place due to snow and ice.
Please take care.”
Later adding that side streets and cul-de-sacs will not be gritted today.
The spokeswoman continued: “We have started to grit secondary routes around the city and priority two pavements.
“The priority two pavements are treated on area basis, with a priority given to high footfall streets and areas around public facilities, medical facilities, and shopping areas.”
Adding: “Please remember we cannot be everywhere at once around the city so side streets and cul-de-sacs will not be gritted today”.
In Highland, primary routes have been treated, with secondary route treatments underway.
A spokesperson said: “Drivers must be aware that conditions can change rapidly and make their own assessment of conditions for travelling.”
Thousands of school pupils sent home
Schoolchildren in Aberdeenshire and the Highlands faced delays to their morning commute and a slower start to the school day today.
By the afternoon, a host of schools closed early, over road conditions and fears for school transport.
It came as temperatures plummeted to freezing overnight, and a new weather warning was issued today for an ‘arctic blast’ over Aberdeen and Scotland’s north.
Weather warnings in place
The Met Office issued a yellow weather warning yesterday for the northern Highlands, Moray and the Aberdeenshire coast.
The warning is in place until 10am on Wednesday with cold temperatures expected to continue through the night and into tomorrow.
Several places reported temperatures below freezing during the night.
Braemar was -11.2C overnight, Aboyne -8C at 6am this morning, Aviemore fell to -8C.
At 2am it was 3C in Lossiemouth while along the road in Elgin was -1C.
Aberdeen was -3C overnight, with the wind chill making it feel much colder.
Meanwhile, Inverness was a heady 2C, but -9C at Loch Glascarnoch in the central Highlands.
Met Forecasters predict the next few days will be the coldest spell of the winter season so far, with more wintery weather on the way.
Our reporters are working to bring you the latest updates on this developing story.
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