In northern Scotland¸ hundreds of schools have been shut after a weather warning for snow and ice was extended until Friday. The Met Office has warned that snowfall could reach up to 10 cm in higher regions.

Scotland is facing unnerving temperatures of minus 16C - the lowest for over a decade - and the snowy weather shows no signs of letting up. The mercury could plummet to the lowest in the UK in January for 15 years in the next two days.

Forecasters warn of difficult driving conditions as workers and school pupils return after the Christmas break.

Scotland is continuing to be hit by freezing weather, with rain, sleet and snow expected to fall across large parts of the country. Temperatures at Loch Glascarnoch in the Highlands fell to -11C on Saturday night after forecasters extended a yellow warning from 09:00 on Sunday until 12:00 on Monday.

The Met Office has issued fresh weather warnings for ice after huge areas of the UK were hit by heavy snow. Parts of southern Scotland, the northeast, Yorkshire, the Midlands and East Anglia have been issued a yellow warning for ice.

The Met Office has issued a fresh warning for snow and ice as wintry weather continued to disrupt the first week back to school in parts of Scotland. More than 50 schools in the Highlands have been affected on Wednesday, with most closed for the day due to snow and ice on roads.

Parts of Wales are set for another cold snap on Thursday, with two weather warnings in place for snow and ice. The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for snow and ice for parts of north, west and mid Wales from 00:15 GMT on Thursday until 11:00.