Scots have been told to brace for snow with a cold weather warning issued for the entire country.  

Forecasters predict that the current cold snap will come to an end with heavy snowfall on Saturday – followed by a rapid thaw on Sunday.  

The yellow alert for snow and rain over the weekend is in place from the early hours of Saturday morning until 9am on Sunday.  

The Met Office predicts that temperatures will struggle to get above freezing on Saturday, with the potential for rain to turn to snow in many areas.  

On Sunday, the thermometer is expected to rise, melting ice and snowy ground and bringing a risk of flooding.  

The snowfall comes with the cold snap, which has closed schools in the north of Scotland expected to last till the end of the week. Yellow alerts in place for snow and ice across Scotland today and on Thursday.  

The Met Office warning covers the entire country The Met Office warning covers the entire country (Image: Met Office) The cold weather which began this week has led to a widespread frost and icy conditions on the roads, with yellow alerts remaining in place for the north and west of Scotland today and tomorrow.  

A Met Office spokesperson added on Wednesday morning: “Rain, snow and ice continue to be potential hazards through this week as an Arctic air mass continues to influence the UK’s weather, bringing potential ongoing disruption for some. 

“It will be feeling very cold for most, with daytime temperatures in the low single figures, with a wind chill meaning it will be feeling even cooler.” 

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The lowest temperature recorded on Tuesday night was minus 7.5C in Warcop, Cumbria, and the average low for the whole nation is 4C at this time of year. 

Altnaharra, Sutherland, saw 14cm of snow, 8cm was recorded at Loch Glascarnoch in the Scottish Highlands, and 6cm in Thorncliffe, Staffordshire. 

More than 100 schools or nurseries were closed in Scotland on Wednesday because of the weather, with 52 shut in the Highland Council area, 51 in Aberdeenshire, 11 in Moray and two in Shetland. 

Snow and ice near Balmedie in Aberdeenshire. Snow and ice near Balmedie in Aberdeenshire. (Image: PA) A sharp rise in vehicle breakdowns has also been reported as drivers’ batteries failed on Wednesday morning due to cold weather, the RAC said. 

The AA has predicted “a major increase in (its) workload” due to sub-zero temperatures, snow and ice, and it urged drivers to check forecasts before travelling and to do so with “extreme caution” in the hardest-hit areas. 

RAC spokesperson Rod Dennis called on motorists to properly de-ice vehicles and ensure the entire windscreen is clear, rather than rushing out of the house “with a tiny little space” to see the road. 

UK's weather in charts UK's weather in charts (Image: PA) Mr Dennis added: “We’ve seen, as you would probably expect, a really sharp rise in breakdowns – predominantly from a lot of people’s batteries failing in the cold, which is inevitable.” 

“Adopt a cautious driving style” in areas with risk of black ice and “be gentle on the accelerator, never be tempted to step on the brake” as it could cause issues on slippery roads, he said. 

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued the first amber cold weather health alert of the season, warning conditions could be dangerous for vulnerable people, including the elderly.