UK weather latest: Met office issues red severe snow warning for Scotland

It is the first time the Met Office has ever issued a red alert for snow in Scotland

(AP)

The Met Office has issued a red severe weather warning for parts of Scotland as thick snow and biting temperatures continue to blast the UK and bring chaos to roads.

Britain’s national weather service has issued its highest level of alert which means extreme weather is expected in areas covering central Scotland, Tayside and Fife between 3pm on Wednesday and 10am on Thursday.

A red warning stipulates that "risk to life is likely" and urges people to avoid dangerous regions and closely listen to advice issued by emergency services.

It is the first time the Met Office has ever issued a red alert for snow in Scotland since its weather warnings system was introduced, and the first time one has been issued anywhere in the UK since 2010.

“Heavy snow showers and drifting of lying snow in the strong easterly winds will become more widespread across the area later on Wednesday afternoon, through the evening and overnight into Thursday,” the Met Office said.

“Roads will become blocked by deep snow, with many stranded vehicles and passengers. Long delays and cancellations on bus, rail and air travel are expected. Some communities could become cut off for several days. Long interruptions to power supplies and other services [are likely].”

The Met Office definition of a red warning is that "you should take action now to keep yourself and others safe from the impact of the weather. Widespread damage, travel and power disruption and risk to life is likely. You must avoid dangerous areas and follow the advice of the emergency services and local authorities".

The warning comes as hundreds of schools were shut and the road and rail network overwhelmed with disruption in Scotland on Wednesday.

Police have called on people not to travel in the red and amber weather warning areas - which combined cover a great deal of the country.

Scotland's transport minister, Humza Yousaf, has urged Scots to avoid travel, saying: "Ask yourself if your journey is absolutely essential? If not, do not travel."

Heavy snow has prompted the closure of the train route between Carlisle and Scotland and other rail routes between England and Scotland have also been severely disrupted.

Some universities and nurseries have been forced to close their doors and certain football fixtures have been postponed as the so-called “Beast from the East” has seen Britain's roads, railways and airports overwhelmed by lengthy delays and cancellations.