The red snow warning issued by the Met Office today is unusual, denoting a severe weather event will happen.

It is the first ever red snow warning for Scotland and the first snow warning issued anywhere in Britain for five years.

The last time a red snow warning was activated in the UK was for South Wales in January 2013.

This came as a succession of weather systems meeting cold air led to a period of significant snowfall causing disruption between January 18 and 25.

The heaviest snowfalls occurred across parts of South Wales, with around 10in (25cm) falling in some locations, but much of England and North Wales were also affected.

The three-tier warnings system came into use by the Met Office in 2011, and also include yellow for 'be aware' and amber for 'be prepared' (see below).

Today's is the ninth ever red warning of any sort – including wind and rain. The last red warning was in January 2016 for wind for Orkney and Shetland.

The Met Office definition of a red warning is that 'you should take action now to keep yourself and others safe from the impact of the weather. Widespread damage, travel and power disruption and risk to life is likely. You must avoid dangerous areas and follow the advice of the emergency services and local authorities'. </s> The Met Office has issued a red alert weather warning for parts of south Wales and the south-west of England. The red alert stretches from north of Cardiff to south of Exeter from 3pm on Thursday to 2am on Friday. It states: “A spell of heavy snow and blizzard conditions is expected. The snow will be accompanied by very strong easterly winds, leading to severe drifting. “Some places could see significant ice build up due to freezing rain from later on Thursday evening, most likely in the south of the area. Long delays and cancellations of public transport seem highly likely.

“Some roads are likely to become blocked by deep snow, stranding vehicles and passengers. Long interruptions to power supplies and other utilities are very likely to occur, along with damage to trees and other structures due to heavy snow or ice.” It follows on from another red warning which had been issued for central Scotland until 10am on Thursday which brought up to 40cm of snow in some areas. Although the Scotland red alert has now expired, the Met Office amber warning, however, has been extended until 10am on Friday. A yellow weather warning is still live until 11.55pm today. A red warning is the highest level of weather warning issue by the Met Office.

Forecaster Craig Snell said: “The red warning is our highest tier, we don’t often see a red warning - the last one was back in 2016 up in Shetland and Orkney and that was for strong winds. “The last time we had the red snow warning was back in 2013 and that was for South Wales - they do not get issued that often.” He revealed a red warning for snow has never before been issued for Scotland, England or Northern Ireland. Amber snow warnings have also been issued for north-east England and the central belt of Scotland, in place between 10am and 8pm on Thursday.

An amber warning for snow and ice has been issued across south-west England and south Wales, which is in place for most of Thursday. On top of these, yellow snow warnings have been issued for vast swathes of southern, central, and northern England, Northern Ireland and Wales which is in place for most of Thursday. Met Éireann, Ireland’s meteorological service, has issued a red weather alert which is in place until 3pm on Friday. People are being told to stay indoors to sit out the worse blizzards which are due to sweep in from 4pm on Thursday. </s> The United Kingdom's weather agency issued its highest alert levels for severe weather in northern regions of the country on Wednesday as Arctic atmospheric conditions continued to bear down, causing widespread travel chaos and forcing the closure of hundreds of school.

The Met Office issued a red alert urging the public in parts of central Scotland around Edinburgh and Glasgow to take immediate action to remain safe amid forecasts of hazardous conditions with of up to 40 centimeters (16 inches) of snowfall in places and a strong easterly wind that could cause the snow to drift. </s> Image copyright PA Image caption Traffic on the M80 between Glasgow and Stirling was brought to a standstill for several hours as emergency services worked to clear a series of accidents

A red alert for snow is in force for many of Scotland's most highly-populated areas as blizzard conditions left some motorists stranded for hours on roads in the central belt.

Trains, flights and many bus services in the affected areas have stopped.

Driving conditions are treacherous, and people have been told not to travel unless it is absolutely necessary.

The red warning of major disruption and potential risk to life will be in place until 10:00 on Thursday.

It covers Strathclyde, Lothian, Tayside, Fife and Central, as well as parts of south east Scotland and the Borders.

Transport Minister Humza Yousaf told BBC Scotland that the country was experiencing "unprecedented weather" with many people saying it was the worst snow they had ever seen.

Some gritters on the M80 and A720 were given a police escort to help them get through traffic to treat problem areas, with a series of minor accidents causing long tailbacks that left cars at a standstill for several hours.

One of those stuck on the M80 was Michael Blair, who said he had stopped for fuel at Old Inns, near Cumbernauld, at about 14:30 and had moved less than a mile in the four hours since.

Mr Blair, who was trying to get to Perthshire, said: "We have no idea how long we are going to be here."

The emergency services stopped any other vehicles going onto the road as they worked to clear the tailbacks.

Glasgow Airport will be closed to all flights until at least 11:00 on Thursday, with about 200 people said to still be inside the terminal on Wednesday evening.

Employers had been encouraged to send staff home early ahead of the red warning coming into effect at 15:00 on Wednesday.

It is the first time a red alert for snow has ever been issued in Scotland, and only the second time anywhere in the UK.

Image copyright University of Dundee Image caption A satellite image showed snow covering most of the UK

A red warning means extreme weather is expected, with people urged to take immediate action to keep themselves and others safe from the impact of the weather.

Widespread damage, travel and power disruption and risk to life is likely, and people must avoid dangerous areas and follow the advice of the emergency services and local authorities.

The warning came after the so-called Beast from the East caused major problems across most of Scotland earlier on Wednesday, with more than 1,600 schools shut and transport badly affected.

About 11cm (4in) of snow had fallen in the centre of Glasgow by lunchtime on Tuesday, with First Bus saying its services in the city and surrounding areas would stop by 16:00, while Lothian Buses stopped its services at 19:00.

Airport beds

The British Red Cross has used specially equipped 4x4 vehicles to supply bedding for people at Glasgow Airport in case passengers are stranded overnight.

Other airports, including Edinburgh and Aberdeen, have also seen disruption.

No trains will run on the West Coast Main Line between Scotland and England until at least lunchtime on Thursday, and the Forth Road Bridge has been closed to all traffic, with vehicles being diverted to the Queensferry Crossing.

And Glasgow's subway system closed at 19:00 to allow staff to go home.

Image caption Motorists have been told to only take to the roads if it is absolutely necessary

Image copyright Getty Images

The Met Office said: "Heavy snow showers and drifting of lying snow in the strong easterly winds will become more widespread across the area later on Wednesday afternoon, through the evening and overnight into Thursday.

"Roads will become blocked by deep snow, with many stranded vehicles and passengers. Long delays and cancellations on bus, rail and air travel are expected."

It also said some rural communities could become cut off for several day, and warned of the potential for long interruptions to power supplies and other services.

Mr Yousaf said the authorities were doing their best to get gritters to the worst affected areas, with emergency services ensuring that people stuck on roads such as the M80 had enough provisions.

Speaking to the Reporting Scotland programme, he said people had heeded warnings not to travel "to an extent", with traffic much lighter than would normally be the case and many employers being "extremely flexible" in allowing staff to go home early or work from home.

But he added: "I have seen HGVs that are carrying home furniture, stationery and piping. I am not convinced that is necessary, and a lot of the incidents we have seen have been caused by a loss of traction by HGVs, so not everybody has been listening or heeding that advice."

Mr Yousaf stressed: "The advice still remains - please avoid all travel not only if you are in the red warning area, but also if you are in the amber warning area which we know doesn't finish until Thursday at 6pm."

Image copyright PA Image caption About 11cm (4in) of snow has fallen in Glasgow

All 11 SPFL football matches scheduled for Wednesday evening have been cancelled.

More than 450,000 pupils were off school on Wednesday, with the vast majority to remain closed on Thursday. Parents should check their local council's website and social media pages for updates.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has said it is cancelling all routine elective procedures and outpatient appointments on Thursday because of the weather conditions, although emergency and essential elective procedures will still go ahead.

Image copyright @allanbarr Image caption Staff managed to clear the runway at Glasgow Airport briefly, but flights remain cancelled

Image caption Rail services have stopped in areas covered by the red warning

Several universities are also closed, including Glasgow, Strathclyde and Stirling.

About 27,000 homes in Aberdeenshire were left without power for less than an hour on Wednesday morning, but Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks said this had not been due to the weather.

Virgin Trains said the route between Carlisle and Scotland is closed with no trains or replacement buses running, because of the weather.

Alternative rail routes between England and Scotland are also "severely disrupted".

What other red warnings have there been?

Image copyright PA

The current Met Office warning system came into force in 2011, after heavy snow in December of the previous year left motorists stranded overnight on the M8 between Glasgow and Edinburgh.

This is the ninth red weather warning of any type for anywhere in the UK since then, and only the second ever red snow warning in the UK - and the first issued for snow in Scotland.

The last red warning was on 29 January 2016 for storm force winds across Orkney and Shetland

On 26 December 2015 a red alert for heavy rain was issued across Lancashire and Yorkshire.

5 December 2015 for heavy rain across parts of Cumbria and the Scottish Borders (Storm Desmond)

12 February 2014 for severe gales across Wales and northern England

18 January 2013 for snow in south Wales

7 July 2012 for rain in south west Devon and east Cornwall

3 January 2012 for storm force winds in the Central Belt of Scotland

8 December 2011 for severe gales in central and southern Scotland

Police Scotland also repeated its advice for people not to travel.

Ch Supt Stewart Carles, head of the force's road policing unit, said: "The warning covers the commuter periods both this evening and tomorrow morning.

"So we would ask people to think very carefully about making alternative arrangements for these times and to consider whether they really need to make that journey, particularly on the road network which may become overwhelmed as people leave work early to beat the storm.

"We'd urge employers to be as flexible as possible in terms of their staff perhaps not being able being able to come to their normal places of work and to consider alternatives."

Where to find the latest weather and travel information

Image copyright PA

For the latest on the roads visit listen live to BBC Radio Scotland . On Twitter follow @BBCTravelScot and @trafficscotland

Up to date forecasts can be found on the BBC Weather website

In times of severe disruption you can also follow the BBC Scotland severe weather Twitter list of key sources.

We have compiled a list of where you can find information on school closures.

Below are a number of other traffic information sources.

Other links

What the weather warning colours mean

Image copyright Bear NE Trunk Roads </s> Plunging temperatures and treacherous winter conditions have prompted the Met Office to issue its highest weather warning for parts of the country today.

As arctic temperatures continue to sweep across the nation thanks to the biting 'Beast from the East', some areas are predicted to see the temperature drop as low as -12.

The coldest place in the UK was Farnborough, Hampshire, where the Met Office recorded temperatures of -8.9C overnight.

Weather warnings, including amber and red, are set to remain in place for most of today, continuing overnight and into Thursday morning.

But when does the Met Office issue the most serious red warning and how do forecasters advise you prepare?

A red weather alert warns of the most severe conditions, with the potential to seriously disrupt travel and day-to-day life.

The Met Office say their issuing of the highest weather alert means "extreme weather is expected".

It advises to ensure yourself and others are safe from the impact of such harsh condirions.

The Met Office explains: "Widespread damage, travel and power disruption and risk to life are likely.

"You must avoid dangerous areas and follow the advice of the emergency services and local authorities."

The Met Office issue red warnings when there is the potential for widespread disruption, and even a threat to life.

Severe conditions such as torrential and prolonged rain, deep snow and ice, along with plunging temperatures all have the potential to prompt the Met Office to issue a red warnning.

In cases of extreme rain, a red warning will be issued if conditions are likely to cause widespread or flash flooding.

Flooding has the potential to cause widespread structural damage to buildings and homes and fast flowing water can quickly become a threat to life.

In extreme cases of ice and snow, red warnings are issued if slips and falls could result in injury or even death.

Extreme gales can also prompt the Met Office to issue its highest weather alert, should high winds cause a threat to life from flying debris, or falling trees and power cables.

How to prepare for a red weather warning?

The Met Office firstly advise to take immediate action in preparing for a weather warning

They urge it is vital to begin ensuring your safety, along with the safety of others such as elderly or vulnerable neighbours.

They also urge anybody living in an area covered by a red warning to check updates from local authorities and emergency services.

People should avoid dangerous areas and only travel if absolutely necessary.

They also urge people to share any information of warnings or updates from emergency services with family and friends, encouraging the use of social media to spread warnings of local hazrads.

Checking updates for trains, buses and planes should be made before any travel is undertaken.

How many red weather warnings have been issued in the UK?

Since 2011, the Met Office have used an 'impact-based' weather warning system to issue alerts - meaning conditions and alerts are assessed on the basis of how much disruption extreme conditions could cause.

Today's weather warning marks the 9th ever red warning of any weather type since the new system was introduced seven years ago.

It has been recorded as Scotland's second ever red warning, and the country's first ever red warning for snow.

Where have red warnings been issued?

The Met Office has issued its highest level of alert for parts of Scotland with extreme weather expected between 3pm on Wednesday and 10am on Thursday.

It said: "Heavy snow showers and drifting of lying snow in the strong easterly winds will become more widespread across the area later on Wednesday afternoon, through the evening and overnight into Thursday.

"Roads will become blocked by deep snow, with many stranded vehicles and passengers. Long delays and cancellations on bus, rail and air travel are expected. Some communities could become cut off for several days. Long interruptions to power supplies and other services."

They predict some parts of Scotland could see snow cover of up to 40cm.

The warning currently covers Central, Tayside and Fife, South West Scotland, Lothian borders and Strathclyde.

Met Eireann have issued a Status Red weather warning for parts of Ireland.

The Irish weather body described the issuing of a red warning for snow as "rare".

They explained:"The issue of RED level severe weather warnings should be a comparatively rare event and implies that recipients take action to protect themselves and/or their properties; this could be by moving their families out of the danger zone temporarily."

Ireland's Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Leo Varadkar tweeted: "We are facing an extraordinary weather event.

"I have instructed all of the machinery of the State to work together to keep 

 people safe. Be prepared in your homes, look out for vulnerable neighbours & 

 avoid unneccesary travel in red areas." </s> The Met Office has issued a rare red extreme weather alert - its highest warning level - urging people in parts of Scotland to take immediately action to stay safe amid life-threatening conditions.

Up to 40cm is expected through Central Tayside & Fife, South West Scotland and Lothian Borders, and Strathclyde as heavier snow falls through the day into Thursday morning.

Amber and yellow warnings are in place for other parts of the UK as blizzard conditions and freezing temperatures bring further misery for travellers on one of the coldest days in almost three decades.

There have been dozens of crashes on the roads and some routes have been shut, train services and flights have been disrupted, and over 1,000 schools have been closed, as heavy snow hammered the country for a third day.

With temperatures falling to -12C, Britain is shivering through its coldest late February since 1991 thanks to a blast of polar air from Siberia - dubbed the "Beast from the East".

More snow is on the way today and through the rest of the week, with Storm Emma set to batter Britain in the wake of the "Beast from the East". </s> Snow alerts and weather warnings have been issued across the UK as the country faces the worst snowstorm in decades. Storm Emma which is passing to the south of the British Isles is whipping up tremendous winds, blizzards and “potentially life-threatening” conditions, Met Office forecasters have warned. The worst damage is expected in parts of southwest England and South Wales, where a red snow alert has been issued – the first ever for parts of England. Meteorologist Alex Deakin said now is the time to act and heed all warnings as Emma threatens to bring the country to a standstill with 50cm of snow.

The forecaster said: “We have a red warning that starts at 3pm today the first of March, continuing into the early hours of Friday morning for Southeast Wales and Southwest England. “It is in fact he first red snow warning we’ve issued for parts of England. “Red means take action. It means the weather is potentially life-threatening. Will it continue to snow tonight? The Met Office has so far issued six separate snow warnings across the UK, four of which are extended through to Friday March 2. The most severe red warning is valid between Thursday 3pm and 2am on Friday morning.

The Met Office said: “Widespread snow is expected to develop through Thursday afternoon and evening. “Around 10-20cm is likely to fall widely, with the potential for up to 30 to 50cm over parts of Dartmoor, Exmoor and parts of southeast Wales.” Towards midnight there is a chance of snow turning into freezing rain in places, making driving conditions “particularly dangerous”. As well as the red warning, almost all of the UK is under threat of snow and intense showers tonight.

The Met Office warning map above outlines the current weather warnings in effect. A yellow snow warning has been issued from Chelmsford up to northernmost Scotland and large swathes of Northern Ireland and is valid tonight until 11.55pm. Anywhere between 5cm and 15cm of snow could fall in this area. The entirety of South England and Wales is also on yellow alert, valid between 8am and 11.55pm tonight. The snow warning extends from Folkestone through to London, Oxford and ends just south of Bangor. Three amber warnings have also been issued for southeast Northern Ireland, from Bradford to northern Scotland and from the West Midlands through south west England and Wales. </s> Scotland is “on the cusp” of extreme weather warnings today as the Beast from the East threatens more misery for commuters.

Up to 16 inches of snow was forecast in some areas.

And Transport Minister Humza Yousaf said an amber “be aware” warning could be upgraded to red, signalling treacherous conditions on the roads.

Very few parts of Scotland were expected to be spared the bone-chilling effects of the Siberian weather bomb.

Amber warnings are in force for tomorrow in Strathclyde, Lothian and Borders, Central, Tayside, Fife, Grampian, Highlands and south-west Scotland.

Yousaf said travel should be avoided in areas covered by the alert.

He added: “There is a potential that the amber warning could, in some areas, be upgraded to a red.

“It’s a warning for snow that we have never seen since the modern system has come into place in Scotland.

“We are on the strongest possible amber warning – and right on the cusp of potentially becoming a red.

“That means a likelihood of a high impact that could be just treacherous.”

All schools and nurseries in the East Renfrewshire and Falkirk council areas are closed tomorrow.

Schools in the Borders have been closed tomorrow and may remain shut on Thursday.

The TV forecaster tweeted: “For those of you in central and eastern Scotland that can work from home on Wednesday and Thursday, I would seriously consider it.”

The mercury plummeted to -8.5C in Altnaharra in the Highlands overnight, with snow and ice causing problems for drivers on some routes.

A handful of schools in Aberdeenshire were closed.

Deputy first minister John Swinney chaired a meeting of the Scottish Government’s Resilience Team to ensure the country is prepared for the worst.

Tomorrow’s conditions were expected to bring disruption to the trains, planes and ferries.

The Met Office predicted 2-4in of snow will fall in eastern and central Scotland.

The wind chill factor will make it feel like -15C in some areas.

The chief forecaster’s assessment said: “Snow showers will bring variable snow cover, but parts of Scotland are expected to see the most frequent snow showers from this morning to Thursday afternoon.

“Where showers become organised, most likely across Scotland and over the hills of northern England, some places are likely to have an additional 15-25 cm of snow, locally as much as 40cm. Strong winds will lead to drifting of snow.”

The amber warnings are set to last until 6pm on Thursday, with the snow expected to extend further westwards to cover parts of Lanarkshire, Glasgow, Renfrewshire, North Ayrshire and Dunbartonshire.

Their guidance for Central, Tayside and Fife says there is potential for travel delays on roads, with the possibility of stranded vehicles and passengers and delays or cancellations to rail and air travel.

They added: “Some rural communities could become cut off. Power cuts may also occur and other services, such as mobile phones, may be affected.”

Police also warned road users to prepare for the worst.

Chief Superintendent Stewart Carle, head of road policing at Police Scotland, said yesterday: “I would urge drivers across Scotland to start to take extra care on the roads.

“Drivers should make sure they are prepared for their journey, with warm clothing, food and drink, sufficient fuel and a charged mobile phone.

“There could be significant traffic delays so please start to plan your journey now and consider if you really need to travel when conditions are poor.” </s> A severe weather warning for up to 15cm of snow in eastern Scotland has been issued by the Met Office for tomorrow

A spokesman said: "Heavy snow is expected on Thursday.

"Accumulations of 10 to 15cm are likely quite widely, with 20 to 30cm falling on hills above 300 metres.

"This will lead to disruption to transport and perhaps power supplies.

"As Storm Doris moves eastwards across central parts of the UK on Thursday a spell of heavy snow is expected on its northern flank.

"There is some uncertainty over the track of Doris and therefore over the extent of snowfall, but confidence is now higher for disruptive snow to affect the amber area."A less severe yellow - "be aware" - warning has been issued for mainland Scotland as far north as Aberdeenshire.

The agency warned of transport disruption and power cuts were likely because of winds of up to 60mph, and possible flooding from heavy rain.

Met Office chief meteorologist Steve Willington said: “We have named Storm Doris as we expect winds of up to 80mph, heavy rain and some snowfall to cause disruption across some central and northern parts of the UK on Thursday.

“Currently, the most likely track of the low pressure system is across Northern Ireland and northern England, and we expect to see the strongest winds in the north of Wales and central England.

"As well as heavy rain, as the low pressure system moves eastwards it will draw down cold air from the north which will cause some of this precipitation to fall as snow across parts of northern England and Scotland."

The yellow - "be aware" - warning for Scotland will be in force from 2am to 6pm on Thursday for most of mainland Scotland apart from northern Aberdeenshire and the northern Highlands.

A Met Office spokeswoman said: "Snow is expected over high ground of northern England and Scotland on Thursday and may fall to low levels for a time in Scotland.

"Snow accumulations of 5 to 10cm are expected on some hills with 2 to 5cm possible to lower levels to the north of the Central Lowlands.

"The largest accumulations of 10 to 20cm are likely on highest parts of the north Pennines and Southern Uplands.

"In addition, strong winds are expected to develop with gusts of 50 to 60 mph.

"This will result in drifting of the snow and blizzard conditions over high ground.

"Associated heavy rain at lower levels will be an additional hazard.

"The combination of snow, strong winds and heavy rain is likely to lead to disruption to transport networks and perhaps power supplies."

The Met Office chief forecaster added: "A developing area of low pressure is expected to move across the UK on Thursday.

"The exact timings and track of this system remain uncertain, but it looks likely that this will push across cold air in place over the northern half of the UK, allowing for precipitation to fall as snow over high ground at least.

"There is then the potential for snow to come down to lower levels at times in heavier precipitation, perhaps more so as the system clears to the east.

"In addition, heavy rain may lead to some localised flooding at lower levels."

The amber warning for England includes gusts of up to 80 mph, which the Met Office warned could damage buildings, and cause power cuts and and widespread travel disruption, with a danger of injury from flying debris.

A separate yellow warning for severe gales gusting to 80mph has been issued by the Met Office for Orkney, southern Shetland, the north coast of the mainland and the north-east tip of Aberdeenshire until 3pm today.

The ScotRail Alliance with Network Rail has already cancelled several trains north of Ardgay or Lairg on the Far North Line between Inverness and Wick/Thurso "due to forecasted severe weather".

Flights, ferries and road travel could also be disrupted.

The agency's spokeswoman said: "West to northwesterly severe gales are expected for a time on Wednesday, bringing gusts of 65-70 mph and locally 75-80 mph over parts of the Northern Isles.

"A swathe of very strong winds is expected to affect Orkney, southern parts of Shetland and the far north of mainland Scotland early on Wednesday, easing from the west through the morning."These will however briefly clip the far north east of Aberdeenshire around the middle of the day."
The Met Office issues its highest level warning, a red alert for parts of Scotland due to heavy snow. It is the first time a red alert has ever been issued in Scotland, and only the second time anywhere in the United Kingdom.