Whiteout conditions across the north-east caused havoc yesterday morning as winter continues to bite.
Some of the region’s busiest roads ground to a halt during the worst of the weather that caused cars and lorries to struggle in the conditions.
The A96 Aberdeen to Inverness road was shut twice during the morning commuter periods following reports of several accidents.
Emergency crews initially closed the busy route between Fochabers and Keith due to concerns about HGVs climbing the hill eastbound from the Speyside village.
Just half an hour after the stretch was reopened, accidents were then reported on the A96 between Keith and Huntly, one of which involved an oil tanker.
Meanwhile, motorists reported taking more than an hour to drive from Rothes to Elgin as traffic came to a standstill.
Police issued warnings to drivers to allow extra time for journeys due to the snow and ice.
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The conditions also caused one of Moray Council’s gritters slip off the carriageway while treating surfaces at the Lochpark Adventure Centre near Drummuir.
There were 15 schools closed in Moray yesterday, primarily in the Keith and Speyside areas, due to the wintry weather while a heating failure also forced Alves Primary School pupils to stay home.
Snow gates were shut on the A939 Cock Bridge to Tomintoul road on Sunday evening due to the forecast and remained closed yesterday afternoon.
In Aberdeenshire, there were 10 schools closed, mainly in the Garioch and Marr areas, due to the severe conditions with some buses cancelled due to the treacherous roads.
However, there were also several delayed openings across the region as staff and students struggled to make it to class for the start of the day.
Last night, forecasters said the worst of the weather for the north-east had now passed but warned there may still be some isolated snow fall later in the week.
Becky Mitchell, a meteorologist with the Met Office, said: “The snow that we had on Sunday night into Monday has now moved away but it will still be pretty cold with temperatures going down as low as minus nine in some parts of the north-east.
“Tuesday will start dry but will turn wet and windy. There may a little bit of snow but it will confined to the hills and some rural parts of Moray.
“Temperatures will start to increase to the average for the time of year by the end of the week with seven or eight degrees likely in Aberdeen.”
