Local authorities across the north and north-east have activated their winter maintenance programmes despite the mild weather.
Work to monitor temperatures to ensure roads are kept clear of ice and snow was officially launched by Highland, Aberdeen and Western Isles councils yesterday.
But gritters will only be dispatched when the mercury significantly drops and the weather conditions change for the worse.
The temperature in the Highlands and islands only fell to 9C overnight and between 7-8C in Elgin and Aberdeen.
Highland Council, which has a fleet of 115 gritters, 48 pavement gritters and one snowblower, relies on data from temperature monitoring stations across the region to determine whether action is merited.
A local authority spokeswoman said: “From October 1 to April 30 we monitor road and weather conditions across the road network.”
An Aberdeen City Council spokesman said: “We have started monitoring temperatures and if there is a snap frost in a week’s time we are ready to respond.”
A Western Isles Council report said: “The winter maintenance service will be delivered during the period October 1 to March 31.
“Winter service forecasts will be obtained daily from the forecast provider and shall comprise of a 24-hour road surface state forecast.
“These forecasts, together with road sensor information, micro radar information and road inspections, will form the objective basis on which operational decisions will be made.”
A spokeswoman for Orkney Islands Council said it had started “gearing up for the winter season by preparing gritters and other equipment”.
Moray Council said its duty roster for winter maintenance would start on October 14, which means a team will be put on standby to treat designated roads overnight if frost is forecast.
A spokesman said: “No other actions are being undertaken in regard to commencing winter roads maintenance, save a daily check with the Met Office to analyse weather trends.”
Aberdeenshire Council runs an all year round winter maintenance operation which is reviewed and improved, if necessary, during the summer months.
It operates a winter operations room which allows it to receive and process information from various sources on a 24 hour basis and react accordingly.