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Snow strands lorries on motorway Snow warning as homes lose power
(about 5 hours later)
Ten lorries were stranded for several hours as snow, rain and strong winds made driving conditions difficult across many parts of Scotland. Blizzard warnings have been issued for most of the east coast of Scotland after severe weather caused disruption across the country.
The lorries were travelling south on the M90, close to Bridge of Earn in Perthshire, when they became stuck in about 7.5cm (3in) of snow. Scottish Power said up to 1,000 homes in North Ayrshire were without power on Tuesday afternoon. At one stage about 7,000 had lost supplies.
Earlier, 10 lorries were stranded for several hours on the M90 in Perthshire after becoming stuck in snow.
The Met Office has warned of heavy snow in the east on Tuesday evening.
It said conditions would worsen in an area stretching from the north east down through central Scotland and into Edinburgh, the Lothians and the Borders on Tuesday evening, with heavy snow falling through the night.
The Met Office warned of drifting snow and blizzards in some areas and said: "Many roads are liable to become impassable and some interruptions to power supplies are possible."
Traffic moving
The north of Scotland was worst affected on Monday night, with temperatures plunging to -5C at Cairnwell, near Braemar.
Lorries travelling south on the M90, close to Bridge of Earn in Perthshire, became stuck in about 7.5cm (3in) of snow.
Snow ploughs and gritters were called to the scene at 0245 BST, and traffic was moving again within a few hours.Snow ploughs and gritters were called to the scene at 0245 BST, and traffic was moving again within a few hours.
The road is now said to be passable with care. Snow fell in many parts of the country and heavy rain led to a flood warning being issued for the River Esk in East Lothian.
The north of Scotland has been worst affected, with temperatures plunging to -5C at Cairnwell, near Braemar, overnight. Motorists in the Denny area were forced to dig their cars out from snow
The Met Office warned that many areas of the country were likely to see heavy snowfalls early on Tuesday morning. Lanes were restricted at the Skye and Erskine bridges because of high winds, while the Tay bridge was only open to cars.
This would cause accumulations of 10cm (4in) or more on higher ground, with strong winds causing snow to drift on exposed high level roads. Grampian Police said there was heavy surface water in Aberdeen city centre. Snow was causing problems further inland, especially on higher routes, and several roads were only passable with care.
Heavy rain has also been falling over lower ground, bringing the possibility of localised flooding. Some drivers were forced to dig their cars out from 1ft of snow close to Denny in Stirlingshire.
Extra care Scottish Power said power supplies were affected in the Largs, Fairlie and Saltcoats area due to a combination of ice on the power lines and high winds.
Lanes have been restricted at the Skye and Erskine bridges because of high winds, while the Tay bridge is only open to cars. Flood watches
Grampian Police said there was heavy surface water in Aberdeen city centre, and snow was causing problems further inland, especially on higher routes. Teams have been working throughout the day to restore supplies, and a spokesman said it was hoped to have all customers reconnected by Tuesday evening.
The A96, the A90 north of Ellon, the A93 between Ballater and Braemar and also between Aboyne and Ballater, and the A939 road to the Lecht ski centre were all said to be passable only with care. Dumfries and Galloway and the Borders, which had been forecast to be badly hit, appeared to escape the worst of the weather on Tuesday morning.
Heavy snow was affecting the A9 around Dunblane, Blackford and Auchterarder in Perthshire, and in Ayrshire parts of the M77 were affected by slush and snow, especially on higher ground, as were parts of the A71.
Poor conditions were also reported on the M80 at Bankhead.
Some drivers were forced to dig their cars out from a foot of snow close to Denny in Stirlingshire.
Dumfries and Galloway and the Borders, which had been forecast to be badly hit, appeared to escape the worst of the weather.
However, flood watches were in place on most rivers in the regions as heavy rain continued to fall.However, flood watches were in place on most rivers in the regions as heavy rain continued to fall.
Forecasters have warned the cold snap is set to continue for the next two days, but temperatures will rise slightly by Thursday, when snow will retreat to higher ground.Forecasters have warned the cold snap is set to continue for the next two days, but temperatures will rise slightly by Thursday, when snow will retreat to higher ground.
Motorists have been urged to take extra care, and to refer to the Traffic Scotland website before setting off.Motorists have been urged to take extra care, and to refer to the Traffic Scotland website before setting off.