Scotland has coldest early winter night since 1998

BBC Yellow Stagecoach bus on side at side of road, next to a snow-covered field. — A bus toppled onto its side in icy conditions in Aberdeenshire

Scotland has recorded its coldest early winter temperatures since 1998, as snow and ice covered areas of the country overnight.

Temperatures below -10C were recorded in some parts of northern Scotland, including Braemar in Aberdeenshire which reached a low of -11.2C. The last time -10.9C or lower was recorded on or before 19 November was in 1998.

Elsewhere in Aberdeenshire, a Stagecoach bus ended up on its side in icy road conditions in the New Leeds area. There were no injuries.

There are currently three yellow warnings in place for snow and ice in northern Scotland, northern England, and parts of Northern Ireland, the Midlands and north-east Wales.

This car was in a field off the A952 in Aberdeenshire

White car on its side in a snow-covered field next to a country road. — This car was in a field off the A952 in Aberdeenshire

A snowy road by the fields near Mintlaw in Aberdeenshire

BBC Weather Watchers/C Bee A snow covered road by fields with wind turbines in the background — A snowy road by the fields near Mintlaw in Aberdeenshire

Weather forecast: First taste of winter in Scotland

Tulloch Bridge near Fort William in the Highlands also reached -10.7C.

Scotland has seen not a temperature below -10C in November since 2016.

Only a handful of school across Scotland were closed, including four rural schools in Shetland, and one in Orkney, as well as one primary school and three nurseries across the Highlands.

In Aberdeenshire, Peterhead Academy was closing early due to expected conditions. Road conditions in the area were poor – a car was spotted on its side in a field off the A952.

Forecasters described it as the first taste of winter, and said temperatures across the UK were expected to be lower than the mid-November average.

A yellow weather warning for snow and ice in northern Scotland lasts until 10:00 on Wednesday.

It means some pavements and cycle paths could become impassable and there is a small chance of travel delays with stranded vehicles, as well as potential train and air travel cancellations.

Snow fell across the Highlands overnight, including at Strath of Kildonan in Sutherland

Jackie O'Brien There are fat flakes of snow falling and the glow of a low sun. A stone wall, fence posts and fields are covered in snow. There is a road with truck at the end of tyre tracks. — Snow fell across the Highlands overnight, including at Strath of Kildonan in Sutherland

A dusting of snow around the chair-lift at the Glenshee Ski Centre near Braemar

PA Media A hill covered in a light cover of snow with a cold white sky. A ski lift can be seen in the distance on the hill. — A dusting of snow around the chair-lift at the Glenshee Ski Centre near Braemar

Victoria Park in Aberdeen was covered in snow by Tuesday morning

A park is covered in snow, with bare trees lining a path towards a fountain, which is still and covered in snow with sections of ice. — Victoria Park in Aberdeen was covered in snow by Tuesday morning

A road in Sutherland during a break in the wintry weather

Jackie O'Brien Tyre tracks on a snowy road. Snow also covers vegetation and trees along the side of the road. — A road in Sutherland during a break in the wintry weather

A wintry scene at Inverurie in Aberdeenshire

Doric/BBC weather Watchers Snow covers farmland with fence posts, bushes and trees. In the distance is the glow of a low sun. — A wintry scene at Inverurie in Aberdeenshire

BBC Weather Watcher Jay Walker’s picture shows the Five Sisters of Kintail from the top of Mam Ratagan Pass near Shiel Bridge

Jay Walker/BBC Weather Watchers A viewpoint overlooking snow-covered mountains and low cloud drifting over a loch. — BBC Weather Watcher Jay Walker’s picture shows the Five Sisters of Kintail from the top of Mam Ratagan Pass near Shiel Bridge

Meanwhile, the Scottish Avalanche Information Service has said its new season of forecasts for six mountain areas would start on 12 December.

BBC Weather says forecasting snow is difficult at lower levels, especially in mid-November when the ground and surrounding seas are still relatively warm compared to midwinter.

By this coming weekend, forecasters are expecting the cold air to be replaced by milder south-westerly winds – with potentially wet and very windy weather sweeping in.

As the wetter weather moves northwards there remains the risk of some snow, before it quickly thaws.