Images of this year's first 'winter' snow fall in Scotland as temperatures plunge - with more forecast

The mercury dropped to -7.8C in Tulloch Bridge, in the Highlands, in the early hours of Monday, as a 2cm snow fall was recorded in the Shetland capital of Lerwick.

Cold temperatures, ice and further snow feature on the forecast for the coming days in what the Met Office deemed is the country’s “first taste of winter”.

The Glenshee Ski Centre near Braemar saw a dusting of snow, as did Corgarff, both in Aberdeenshire. Meanwhile, snow also fell alongside the A939 near The Lecht in the Cairngorms.

South of the Border, snow also blanketed the mountain of Ingleborough, while frost covered berries in bushes near Clapham, in the Yorkshire Dales.

Met Office spokesperson Nicola Maxey said snow had mostly fallen on hilltops so far on Monday, with 2cm falling in Lerwick, Shetland.

But more snow and ice is expected over coming days, with temperatures plunging to below average levels for the time of year.

“It is going to be quite a widely cold week,” Ms Maxey said. “A few degrees below average both day and night for most of the country.”

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued the first amber cold weather health alert of the season and, along with charity Age UK, warned the conditions could be dangerous for vulnerable people, including the elderly.

The amber warning covers the east and north of England, Midlands, and Yorkshire and the Humber, with yellow alerts coming into place for the South East, South West and London at 8am on Tuesday, lasting until 6pm on Saturday.

Age UK director Caroline Abrahams said: “With high energy bills and food prices, it is understandable that some may think they have to cut back on food and turn their heating off. But prolonged exposure to cold temperatures can have a serious impact on an older person’s health, especially if they are already trying to manage existing illnesses.”

It is predicted temperatures could drop to -2C in London on Friday, -4C in Birmingham and -7C further north.

There is a possibility of 15-20cm of snow on ground above 300m and 5-10cm in areas higher than 200m, with a “chance” that snow could hit lower levels and cause road disruption – although the likelihood of that remains “uncertain”.

Ms Maxey said: “There’s likely to be a widespread frost overnight as we get this colder air coming in from the arctic maritime air mass – cold air from the north pushing down across the country – which will be across the whole country by the middle of the week.”

The Met Office issued several yellow weather warnings for snow and ice for parts of the UK and will likely issue further alerts.

Another yellow alert comes into effect at 4pm on Monday and is in place until 10am on Wednesday, covering areas in Scotland’s north, including parts of the Highlands, islands and the North-East, such as Inverness, Aberdeen, Aviemore, Stornoway, Orkney and Shetland.

Within affected areas, there is a chance of power cuts, disruption to road and public transport and the risk of injury from slipping on ice.