RAIN, sleet and snow is expected to return to Scotland today, with parts of the country issued with "be prepared" warnings.
Central, Tayside and Fife, Lothian and Borders, Strathclyde and the south-west of the country have all been issued with Met Office amber warnings, with snow forecast between 6am and 11am today.
Other parts of the country will see a high risk of ice as rain falls on to sub-zero surfaces, particularly in the west and east.
Transport Scotland's Multi Agency Response Team (MART) will be in operation during the morning rush hour, with the freezing temperatures expected to last until later today.
Transport Minister Keith Brown said: "Having Transport Scotland, the police, rail operators, road operating companies and the Met Office working side by side and agreeing messages for the travelling public has worked well so far, but we must stay sharp and keep up the good work.
"In the run-up to Christmas the pressure to keep our transport network running as effectively as possible is even greater than usual, businesses depend on roads and rail for deliveries and the public will obviously be out in numbers doing their Christmas shopping."
Steps to avoid disruption include working with the Road Haulage Association and Freight Transport Association to update guidance on planning for severe weather.
A hotline has also been introduced so HGV drivers can contact Traffic Scotland to inform them of traction problems they experience on the network.
Mr Brown urged people to listen to radio reports and check the Traffic Scotland website for regular updates on any travelling problems.
Rachel Vince, a forecaster with MeteoGroup UK, said: "Rain and sleet will arrive on the west coast and push east during the morning. Snow will fall on higher ground but eventually should pass to rain into the afternoon, and this will be the start of a return to more mild weather by midweek."
The milder weather could last through to next weekend but bookmakers William Hill are keeping the odds low on a white Christmas. Aberdeen is the favourite to see snow on Christmas day at 5/2, cut from an original 6/1.
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