Blizzard conditions will batter large parts of Scotland as forecasters issue a 54-hour weather warning for snow this week.
Met Office experts anticipate the wintry conditions to descend on northern and northeastern Scotland from midnight on Thursday.
Snow is expected to fall in most areas, with as much as 12 inches landing in parts of higher ground during the lengthy yellow warning.
Angus, Perth, Stirling, Aberdeenshire, Moray and the Highlands are among the places set to see the worst of the conditions.
Strong winds will also bring an additional hazard for Scots with blizzard conditions likely at times.
Commuters have been urged to take extra care on their essential journeys while the weather warning remains in place.
Forecasters have also warned that some rural communities could become cut off as a result of the conditions.
The yellow warning will conclude at 6am on Saturday.
A forecast from the Met Office reads: “An area of snow is expected to persist across northern and northeastern parts of Scotland until early in the weekend, when snow should begin to ease and clear.
“Above 150m some 10-20cm of snow is likely, with locally 30 cm above 250m.
“For lower levels, away from eastern coasts, where rain is more likely, 2-5cm of snow is possible.
“As colder air sinks south later Friday, snow will likely fall at all levels, though by then it is unlikely to be as heavy. As well as heavy snow, strong winds will be an additional hazard, with blizzard conditions likely at times.”
A number of weather warnings for snow and ice have already been issued across Scotland this week.
Around 12 inches could land in large parts of the country from this evening, according to forecasters.
The snow is expected to worsen from Wednesday, with some areas seeing as much as 40cm land during a 24-hour period.
Beast from the East 2 fears have been ramped up in recent days as experts anticipate the ‘disruptive snowfall’ to continue well into this month.
