An arctic blast has stopped motorists in their tracks this morning as snow stormed across much of Scotland.

The Met Office issued a yellow weather warning for most of central and western Scotland for snow and ice late last night as a cold front looked set to sweep across the country followed by freezing air from the Canadian Arctic.

The warning is expected to be in place until 10am. 

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Drivers using the M8 face long queues due to blizzard-like weather conditions and a road traffic accident involving a lorry at J6 Newhouse.

A lorry has jack-knifed lorry on the M8 westbound at Newhouse.

Visibility was poor on parts of the M74 through Lanarkshire and Glasgow and there were reports of cars losing control on the M77 between junction 1 and junction 6.

Traffic Scotland urged motorists to take care.

It said the A702 near Penicuik in Midlothian was closed between Flotterstone and Mauricewood due to "multiple" accidents in the wintry conditions.

Rail routes have remained unaffected.

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Forecaster Grahame Madge said: "We have issued a yellow warning for snow and ice over most of Scotland."

"We've had high winds around the north coast of Scotland. There's been very strong storm-force winds that will be clearing northeast-wards."