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Sub-zero temperatures continuing Sub-zero temperatures continuing
(about 9 hours later)
Forecasters have said temperatures in Scotland will remain very low over the weekend, with little let up until next week when frosts become "less severe".Forecasters have said temperatures in Scotland will remain very low over the weekend, with little let up until next week when frosts become "less severe".
Overnight temperatures are expected to be close to Friday night's levels when -22.3C was recorded at Altnaharra in Sutherland. Overnight temperatures were expected to be close to Friday night's levels when -22.3C was recorded at Altnaharra in Sutherland.
First Minister Alex Salmond said he would "vigorously defend" Scotland's interests to maintain salt supplies.First Minister Alex Salmond said he would "vigorously defend" Scotland's interests to maintain salt supplies.
About 7,000 tonnes of salt were used in the 24 hours to Friday night.About 7,000 tonnes of salt were used in the 24 hours to Friday night.
Mr Salmond's comments came as Finance Secretary John Swinney took part in the first UK-wide civil contingencies committee meeting.Mr Salmond's comments came as Finance Secretary John Swinney took part in the first UK-wide civil contingencies committee meeting.
Mr Salmond said there had been good communication with salt suppliers in England and Northern Ireland.Mr Salmond said there had been good communication with salt suppliers in England and Northern Ireland.
In one day this week we experienced 305 burst pipes across the country, more than four times the normal rate Peter FarrerScottish WaterIn one day this week we experienced 305 burst pipes across the country, more than four times the normal rate Peter FarrerScottish Water
He said: "As weather conditions turn to the worse down south there will be competing demands on these salt providers, which is why it's been so important for Scotland to be organised."He said: "As weather conditions turn to the worse down south there will be competing demands on these salt providers, which is why it's been so important for Scotland to be organised."
On Friday salt stocks were increased to 47,000 tonnes after 7,000 tonnes were used in 24 hours.On Friday salt stocks were increased to 47,000 tonnes after 7,000 tonnes were used in 24 hours.
Edinburgh City Council used 100 tonnes of salt on Wednesday night alone.Edinburgh City Council used 100 tonnes of salt on Wednesday night alone.
Mr Salmond also said about 2,100 schools were open on Friday, about 87% of those which were expected to open.Mr Salmond also said about 2,100 schools were open on Friday, about 87% of those which were expected to open.
Already local authorities are starting to assess the possibility of further school closures next week.Already local authorities are starting to assess the possibility of further school closures next week.
Rail changesRail changes
In some areas Monday should be the first day of a new term.In some areas Monday should be the first day of a new term.
Most councils said they planned to take decisions on school openings on Sunday.Most councils said they planned to take decisions on school openings on Sunday.
Parents were urged to check with their local authority website for the latest information.Parents were urged to check with their local authority website for the latest information.
School children have been reassured about exams that may be disrupted by the weather.School children have been reassured about exams that may be disrupted by the weather.
Education Secretary Michael Russell said: "There are no SQA national exams due to take place until April and many pupils have taken their prelims before the Christmas break.Education Secretary Michael Russell said: "There are no SQA national exams due to take place until April and many pupils have taken their prelims before the Christmas break.
"For those who are due to sit prelims in the coming weeks, there is flexibility around when these exams take place."For those who are due to sit prelims in the coming weeks, there is flexibility around when these exams take place.
"This means they can be rearranged if any disruption is caused by the current weather conditions.""This means they can be rearranged if any disruption is caused by the current weather conditions."
ScotRail announced that a reduced timetable would operate on the Edinburgh-Glasgow Queen Street line and on selected routes in and out of Glasgow Central because of the severe weather conditions.ScotRail announced that a reduced timetable would operate on the Edinburgh-Glasgow Queen Street line and on selected routes in and out of Glasgow Central because of the severe weather conditions.
A ScotRail spokesman said: "The amended timetables are designed to provide as robust a service as possible in the unprecedented circumstances.A ScotRail spokesman said: "The amended timetables are designed to provide as robust a service as possible in the unprecedented circumstances.
"We are doing everything possible to keep inconvenience to passengers to an absolute minimum."We are doing everything possible to keep inconvenience to passengers to an absolute minimum.
Temperatures plunged well below freezing across the country 'Valiant efforts' tackle snowfall Ambulance crews struggle in snow Driver killed awaiting assistance Q&A: Car care in the cold snap BBC Scotland travelTemperatures plunged well below freezing across the country 'Valiant efforts' tackle snowfall Ambulance crews struggle in snow Driver killed awaiting assistance Q&A: Car care in the cold snap BBC Scotland travel
"We apologise to customers and assure them that we are running as many services as possible in sub-zero temperatures.""We apologise to customers and assure them that we are running as many services as possible in sub-zero temperatures."
Scottish Water said it had mobilised an army of staff and additional resources to minimise the impact of the severe weather on their customers.Scottish Water said it had mobilised an army of staff and additional resources to minimise the impact of the severe weather on their customers.
Peter Farrer, of Scottish Water said: "Every effort is being made to maintain our service to our customers, but the sustained period of extreme weather is having an impact and is affecting the speed at which we can respond.Peter Farrer, of Scottish Water said: "Every effort is being made to maintain our service to our customers, but the sustained period of extreme weather is having an impact and is affecting the speed at which we can respond.
"We have teams working day and night, often walking miles along the length of a pipe in a field covered in snow to locate a burst, and then working in sub zero temperatures to fix it."We have teams working day and night, often walking miles along the length of a pipe in a field covered in snow to locate a burst, and then working in sub zero temperatures to fix it.
"In one day this week we experienced 305 burst pipes across the country, more than four times the normal rate.""In one day this week we experienced 305 burst pipes across the country, more than four times the normal rate."
Sports fans have been urged to help those struggling in the snow as fixture cards face being wiped out.Sports fans have been urged to help those struggling in the snow as fixture cards face being wiped out.
Scottish Secretary Jim Murphy said he intended to clear his neighbour's path this weekend and urged other fans to do the same.Scottish Secretary Jim Murphy said he intended to clear his neighbour's path this weekend and urged other fans to do the same.
At least 10 Scottish Cup matches have been postponed so far.At least 10 Scottish Cup matches have been postponed so far.
Two police officers were injured on Friday attending an accident.Two police officers were injured on Friday attending an accident.
Their stationary car was hit when they were at an accident involving four vehicles on the A90 outside Forfar, Angus.Their stationary car was hit when they were at an accident involving four vehicles on the A90 outside Forfar, Angus.
The officers were discharged on Friday evening.The officers were discharged on Friday evening.
Meanwhile, European Driving Time regulations have been relaxed for hauliers transporting anti-freeze to airports.Meanwhile, European Driving Time regulations have been relaxed for hauliers transporting anti-freeze to airports.
The rules prohibit lorry drivers from working more than 90 hours in a fortnight.The rules prohibit lorry drivers from working more than 90 hours in a fortnight.
Now drivers will be able to work for 10 hours in every 24, instead of only nine.Now drivers will be able to work for 10 hours in every 24, instead of only nine.
Pubs and club goers are being urged to make sure they have adequate clothing and to plan their journey home.Pubs and club goers are being urged to make sure they have adequate clothing and to plan their journey home.
Tell us where the best sledging hill in Scotland is locatedTell us where the best sledging hill in Scotland is located
Farmers' leader Tom Johnston of NFU Scotland said hundreds of agricultural buildings had collapsed under the weight of snow across the north and north-east of Scotland.Farmers' leader Tom Johnston of NFU Scotland said hundreds of agricultural buildings had collapsed under the weight of snow across the north and north-east of Scotland.
He estimated the cost of the damage would run to millions of pounds.He estimated the cost of the damage would run to millions of pounds.
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.
Despite the travel, school and heating problems caused by the cold weather, it's a happy time for children.Despite the travel, school and heating problems caused by the cold weather, it's a happy time for children.
Sledges and skis are once again being called into action over the weekend.Sledges and skis are once again being called into action over the weekend.
But where is the best sledging slope in Scotland?But where is the best sledging slope in Scotland?
Send us your pictures with one line telling us why your hill is just perfect.Send us your pictures with one line telling us why your hill is just perfect.
Send your pictures and videos to newsonlinescotland@bbc.co.ukSend your pictures and videos to newsonlinescotland@bbc.co.uk
At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.