SCOTS are bracing for a bitter -5C freeze and snow within days.
It comes after the country was battered by 70mph gusts and heavy rain.
Scots are bracing for a bitter -5C freeze and snow within days[/caption]
Residents up north will see several inches of the white stuff[/caption]
The forecast comes before the start of meteorological spring on March 1[/caption]
Weather maps from WXCharts show the first flurries are expected to hit parts of the Highlands on Tuesday, March 11.
Residents up north will see several inches of the white stuff as temperatures plunge.
On Friday, March 14, the north of Scotland will see the mercury dip to -5C.
This is despite the start of meteorological spring on Saturday, March 1.
According to the Met Office, “meteorological seasons are based on the annual temperature cycle and measure the meteorological state, as well as coinciding with the calendar to determine a clear transition between the seasons”.
The Met Office long-range weather forecast for March 3 to March 12 warns “night frosts” are on the horizon.
Forecasters add: “A split in weather conditions is likely across the UK during early March.
“Northwestern areas will see bouts of rain and stronger winds at times, as Atlantic weather systems arrive from the west. These spells of wet and windy weather will move southeast to some degree.
“However, high pressure is likely to have more influence across the south of the UK, at least at first. Here, there should be a good deal of fine/dry weather during early March with a chance of night frosts and morning fog patches.
“Through this period, there is an increasing chance of unsettled conditions becoming more widely dominant across the UK.
“Temperatures generally around or a bit above average, notwithstanding some chilly nights.”
At the weekend, an Atlantic storm arrived with high winds barrelling in from the west.
Gusts reached 60mph inland, with 70mph recorded on the west coast and on higher ground.
A yellow weather alert covered the whole country from 6am until 6pm.
