SEVERE weather warnings have been issued for most of Scotland as forecasters predict the first cold blasts of winter with snow and ice expected to last in places until Thursday.

Overnight temperatures are expected to dip below freezing, especially in the north and west. Snow on the roads ahead of rush hour this morning creating potentially hazardous conditions for motorists.

The Scottish Government was set to deploy 126 gritting lorries across the country's A-roads to prevent the surfaces freezing overnight into this morning. Eight footpaths were also due to be treated.

A Met Office spokesman said: "Roads are likely to turn icy in places. Sleet and snow showers may be heavy at times, particularly over the Western Highlands. Any snow cover will be patchy over low lying areas, with sleet or rain more likely near windward coasts.

"Snow will settle more readily on hills, and there may be as much as 10cm over the higher ground of the Western Highlands."

The Met Office has put in place a series of Yellow 'Be Aware' warnings covering the north and west of Scotland until midnight tomorrow.

Overnight temperatures could fall as low as -5°C in parts of northern Scotland with up to 10cm of snow falling on higher ground.

The Central Belt likely to experience daytime temperatures no higher than around 3-4°C midweek, with some snow flurries, although it will only lie on higher ground.

Winds will increase tomorrow with gusts of up to 70mph in places.