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Big freeze brings coldest night Big freeze brings coldest night
(10 minutes later)
A tiny village in the Highlands has experienced the coldest night of the winter in the UK.A tiny village in the Highlands has experienced the coldest night of the winter in the UK.
Across Scotland, temperatures overnight dropped well below freezing with -22.3C recorded at Altnaharra in Sutherland.Across Scotland, temperatures overnight dropped well below freezing with -22.3C recorded at Altnaharra in Sutherland.
The remote village already holds the record for the lowest temperature ever recorded in the UK, -27.2C on 30 December, 1995.The remote village already holds the record for the lowest temperature ever recorded in the UK, -27.2C on 30 December, 1995.
The Met Office said temperatures are set to stay below zero and there is a risk of further snow in the north.The Met Office said temperatures are set to stay below zero and there is a risk of further snow in the north.
Braemar in Aberdeenshire recorded -19.5C and temperatures dropped to -14C in Aberdeen.Braemar in Aberdeenshire recorded -19.5C and temperatures dropped to -14C in Aberdeen.
Around Edinburgh the overnight temperature was -11C in Edinburgh and in the Glasgow area it was -10C.Around Edinburgh the overnight temperature was -11C in Edinburgh and in the Glasgow area it was -10C.
The Met Office said the geography of the area around Altnaharra contributed to the cold temperatures often seen there.The Met Office said the geography of the area around Altnaharra contributed to the cold temperatures often seen there.
Met Office spokesman Barry Gromett said: "It sits in a glen and there is a lot of snow there, so there is snow covering, long cold nights and no wind.Met Office spokesman Barry Gromett said: "It sits in a glen and there is a lot of snow there, so there is snow covering, long cold nights and no wind.
"It is also in a bowl, effectively with mountains surrounding it, which means that cold air pools down at the bottom."It is also in a bowl, effectively with mountains surrounding it, which means that cold air pools down at the bottom.
"Cold air is denser than warm air so it will flow down the mountain and pool at the bottom of the valley.""Cold air is denser than warm air so it will flow down the mountain and pool at the bottom of the valley."
Hundreds of schools remained closed across Scotland.Hundreds of schools remained closed across Scotland.
All schools were shut in the Borders while most schools in Aberdeenshire and Moray were also closed.All schools were shut in the Borders while most schools in Aberdeenshire and Moray were also closed.
Schools in Highland and West Lothian council areas are not due back until Monday, however Highland Council is due to make a decision about whether the schools will open as planned.Schools in Highland and West Lothian council areas are not due back until Monday, however Highland Council is due to make a decision about whether the schools will open as planned.
Parents elsewhere are being urged to check their council's websites for local problems.Parents elsewhere are being urged to check their council's websites for local problems.
There is also likely to be further disruption to those travelling, with icy roads, some freezing fog and delays to flights at many UK airports.There is also likely to be further disruption to those travelling, with icy roads, some freezing fog and delays to flights at many UK airports.
The winter whiteout conditions affecting the UK are clearly visible in this satellite imageEnlarge ImageThe winter whiteout conditions affecting the UK are clearly visible in this satellite imageEnlarge Image
Temperatures will stay bitterly cold this weekend. Pubs and club goers are being urged to make sure they have adequate clothing and to plan their journey home.Temperatures will stay bitterly cold this weekend. Pubs and club goers are being urged to make sure they have adequate clothing and to plan their journey home.
Meanwhile, councils across the country have reported that grit and salt stocks are low but thousands of extra tonnes are being brought in.Meanwhile, councils across the country have reported that grit and salt stocks are low but thousands of extra tonnes are being brought in.
West Lothian Council said it had already used more salt and grit in the past three weeks - 12,000 tonnes - than it usually uses in an average winter.West Lothian Council said it had already used more salt and grit in the past three weeks - 12,000 tonnes - than it usually uses in an average winter.
A spokesman said it was also using whindust and ash for residential streets, which it admitted was not as effective as salt but would help the situation.A spokesman said it was also using whindust and ash for residential streets, which it admitted was not as effective as salt but would help the situation.
And Edinburgh City Council used 100 tonnes of salt on Wednesday night alone.And Edinburgh City Council used 100 tonnes of salt on Wednesday night alone.
In East Renfrewshire, thieves are suspected to have used a large vehicle and lifting gear to steal a grit bin with two tonnes of salt from a road.In East Renfrewshire, thieves are suspected to have used a large vehicle and lifting gear to steal a grit bin with two tonnes of salt from a road.
The bright-yellow fibreglass bin and its load, worth £300, were removed from the junction of Capelrig and Crookfur Road, Newton Mearns, on Thursday.The bright-yellow fibreglass bin and its load, worth £300, were removed from the junction of Capelrig and Crookfur Road, Newton Mearns, on Thursday.
The Scottish Ambulance Service has been struggling to answer emergency calls within its own target times.The Scottish Ambulance Service has been struggling to answer emergency calls within its own target times.
Paramedics aim to respond to the most serious emergencies within eight minutes in 75% of cases.Paramedics aim to respond to the most serious emergencies within eight minutes in 75% of cases.
But ambulances only turned up on time in 65% of cases on Wednesday due to the snow and ice and the performance figure was as low as 53% seven days ago.But ambulances only turned up on time in 65% of cases on Wednesday due to the snow and ice and the performance figure was as low as 53% seven days ago.
Scottish Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon told BBC Scotland the ambulance service had faced a very challenging few days.Scottish Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon told BBC Scotland the ambulance service had faced a very challenging few days.
Are you in Altnaharra, or another area affected by the winter freeze? Send us a picture or a video showing how cold the temperature is where you live. Are you affected by the "big freeze"? Send us a picture or a video showing how cold the temperature is where you live. Are you a sports fan? Has the cold weather affected your local club?
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here.
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