Snow warning for south and eastern parts of Scotland - BBC News

3 February 2012 Last updated at 12:57 ET

The Met Office has issued warnings for weekend snow across many parts of southern and eastern Scotland.

The severe weather alerts run from 0600 on Saturday to midday on Sunday.

Snow is expected in the east early on Saturday, with another band moving slowly across the south in the afternoon.

Accumulations of about 5cm (2in) are expected, even at low levels, and people are being advised that there is the potential for travel disruption.

The first warning issued by the Met Office covered most of the southern Scottish Borders and south-eastern parts of Dumfries and Galloway from noon on Saturday and was extended to run until the same time the following day.

A subsequent alert was issued for earlier on Saturday across the Highlands, Grampian, Central, Tayside and Fife.

Up to 10cm (4in) of snow is forecast for higher ground in those areas.

The snow is expected to turn increasingly to rain as the day progresses.

The warnings come after one of the coldest nights of the winter so far.

Temperatures in parts of the UK plunged to -11C (12F) overnight, with Braemar in Aberdeenshire among the places worst affected.

Transport Minister Keith Brown said the government's resilience team would be in regular contact with the Met Office, police, and road and rail operators.

He said: "Frontline and patrols vehicles are being deployed across the network and on routes that are likely to be affected by snow. Gritters will continue to operate until the snow has passed and will be further supported by additional vehicles.

"We stand ready to activate the resilience room and Multi Agency Response Team if required."

Mr Brown added: "The yellow warning is fairly common over the winter months but the public should continue to check travel bulletins or the Traffic Scotland website for the latest advice."