People across the north-east woke up to wintry scenes this morning as the first real cold snap of the season hit.
Several areas were hit with their first snowfall since the beginning of the year, with Alford, Huntly and Insch particularly affected.
While many enjoyed the first sign of winter, snapping stunning images of rural landscapes transformed into a winter wonderland, the conditions in some areas caused concern.
The road from Tarland to Tornaveen was completely white during the early hours, as was a stretch of the A96 Aberdeen to Inverness road between Huntly and Inverurie.
Road users were urged to take care and drive to the weather conditions.
Aberdeenshire police released a statement asking drivers to “give themselves a few extra minutes to scrape the car and demist windscreens” before setting off on their journeys.
Gritters were out between 2am and 6am on Thursday morning as the temperature dipped below freezing.
Aberdeen City Council posted a statement online to let people know that road workers would be salting main routes and pavements on Union Street and nearby.
With low temperatures continuing, gritters were again out last night to treat city roads.
Aberdenshire Council also urged people to take care on the roads yesterday morning after 24 gritters were out treating priority roads in the county.
A Met Office forecaster said the weather wasn’t unusual for this time of year.
However, he said it was strange that the snow hadn’t been as heavy as seen in previous years – and confirmed it would remain “frosty” overnight.
There was expected to be “clear periods and a frost developing inland across southern Aberdeenshire” overnight.
Cold weather will continue over the weekend, with the possibility of snow on higher ground between Saturday and Monday.
