Snow and ice warnings have been issued for Scotland as temperatures are forecast to plunge.

The yellow warning covers the period from 10pm on Wednesday to 12pm on Thursday in central, Tayside and Fife; Grampian; Highlands and islands; Orkney and Shetland; and Strathclyde.

The south west of Scotland, Lothian and Borders and the rest of the UK and Northern Ireland all face a yellow ice warning from 10pm on Wednesday to 11am on Thursday.

In some parts, temperatures could drop below zero (32F) by Thursday and even as low as minus 4C (24.8F) in the north east and Highlands.

The Met Office said: “Snow showers already affecting some parts, especially hills, will become more widespread later on Wednesday before slowly starting to become less frequent and less intense later on Thursday.

“The heaviest and most frequent snow will tend to be over hills and mountains as well as in northern coastal areas.

“Several centimetres of snow are expected over the Highlands and Grampians whilst at low levels snow cover will be smaller and patchier in nature with some places, especially coastal areas, seeing little lying snow.

“Conditions will also be windy and icy stretches are still expected where snow does not settle.”

In December numerous crashes were reported by Traffic Scotland due to “freezing rain” and ice on the roads.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service added in a tweet on Wednesday: “Take care on the roads and when out and about, check public transport before travelling and ensure you are prepared.”