The Met Office has warned people in the north of Scotland that a sharp fall in temperatures is “likely” in the coming days.
The sun shone across large parts of the region yesterday, but the mercury is set to plummet as the week continues.
Forecaster Becky Mitchell said: “It will be a very chilly and frosty few mornings ahead in the north east and the Highlands, and we did have an ice warning in place yesterday due to the conditions.
“Throughout the week, the temperature will drop, and it will be quite changeable with rain and subsequent ice both on the cards.
“We have some high winds and cloud coming in from the south-west, especially across the Highlands, and there will be snow on higher ground.
“Heavy showers on the coast could, with colder temperatures, hamper some travel arrangements and I would encourage people to check their travel plans.”
Today, a number of ferries have altered timings, such as the Oban to Locchboisdale service. Due to “adverse weather”, the service has been brought forward from tomorrow and will depart this afternoon at 1pm.
In addition, the Oban to Tiree service today is “liable to disruption or cancellation at short notice” and there will only be one stop at the island of Coll, at 10.30am.
The changeable weather comes off the back of Storm Erik, which caused travel chaos across the United Kingdom.
However, after a few nights of freezing temperatures, the Met Office has promised a mild Valentine’s Day on Thursday.
Ms Mitchell said: “As we look towards the weekend, in Aberdeenshire and Moray the frost will give way to rain and temperatures will rise, before getting colder again as the weekend approaches.
“Thursday will, in fact, be quite sunny – and the temperatures could actually reach double figures in Aberdeen on Valentine’s Day.”
