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Weather experts have warned Scotland could see a return of the Beast from the East later this month.
As Scots face further heavy snow this weekend, it is feared a polar vortex could bring even more extreme conditions.
Weather warnings have been extended to cover almost all of Scotland again this weekend, with another foot of snow set to fall in parts already blanketed.
Now some experts fear that the worst has yet to come.
STV weatherman Sean Batty said some computer models were showing all the hallmarks of a return of the Beast from the East, the storm which brought the country to a standstill in February 2018 with -20C temperatures, gale-force winds, blizzards, power cuts and widespread travel disruption.
There are signs, he warned, that a polar vortex – a wide expanse of swirling cold air – could slow down again later this month and allow cooler air to return, possibly from the East, and potentially replicate the extreme conditions seen eight years ago.
Although Mr Batty said at this stage only a ‘handful’ of models were ‘hinting at this scenario’, he warned: ‘If it does materialise it could bring another spell of very cold weather towards the end of the month and into February.
He added: ‘One possible outcome would be a large area of high pressure setting up over Scandinavia – something we don’t see all that often these days, but when it happens it can drag bitterly cold air out of Russia and into Europe, and sometimes reaches as far as the UK.
The recent sub-zero temperatures have meant members of the Muir of Ord curling club have been able to play games outdoors
One vehicle crashed on the A9 as Scotland was in the grip of a deep freeze
Edinburgh Zoo's penguin colony have been enjoying the snowy conditions
‘A similar set-up was responsible for the Beast from the East in 2018 – although that arrived in early spring, limiting its overall impact compared to what it could do in mid-winter.’
His warning comes as much of the North and North-East remains under a thick blanket of snow that has left dozens of homes cut off, schools shut and countless roads impassable for days.
Aberdeenshire Council, which was continuing to battle to clear roads and paths in towns and villages, declared a ‘major incident’ on Tuesday after its gritting and ploughing teams became overwhelmed by the relentless snow.
On Monday, railway workers clearing snow-covered tracks rescued a dog walker who was stuck in a deep drift.
Joanne Reid, who has mobility issues, was walking her two dogs near Insch Station in Aberdeenshire when she lost her balance.
Mrs Reid, 60, was hidden from view behind trees when she fell and was unable to get back on her feet. She feared the worst but three Network Rail workers heard her shouts for help and raced to her aid.
Calling them ‘my heroes’, she said: ‘I really do believe they saved my life.’
Earlier this week two teenagers were rescued after getting stuck in a drift on An Teallach, Ross-shire, while just 24 hours after giving birth, Gracie Ballantine, 31, from Peterhead, and newborn son Frank were towed home through the snow by a tractor.
The Cairn Gorm weather station, at the summit of the 4,085ft mountain, is barely visible amid the heavy snowfall
Sheep trying to make their way through the snow near Leslie, Aberdeenshire
With freezing overnight temperatures, there is no sign of a thaw on Saturday and, with more snow on the way, Scots are being urged to prepare for further disruption.
Braemar, in Aberdeenshire, recorded the coldest temperature of -13.3C overnight, with some computer models suggesting it could drop to as low as -20C on Saturday night.
In comparison, in Moscow it was only expected to reach -7C on Friday night.
The latest warning for snow and ice came into effect at noon on Friday and is due to last until 3pm on Saturday, during which time a further six inches (15cm) is expected to fall.
A further alert for snow and ice has also been issued from 2am to 3pm on Sunday when up to another 11 inches (30cm) is forecast in some parts.
Met Office chief forecaster Steve Willington said: ‘With much of this falling in areas that have already seen severe snowfall, ongoing disruption is likely.’
The warning also states that ‘strong winds will lead to some drifting of the snow, and widely icy conditions are likely’.
Scots are being advised to prepare for further delays on roads and on public transport, with road closures possible.
There will also be a chance of power cuts and mobile phone outages in the worst-hit areas, while people are being warned of the risk of injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces.
Justice Secretary Angela Constance, who chaired the meeting of the Scottish Government’s Resilience Room yesterday, said: ‘Ministers will continue to do everything that we can to monitor and manage the situation.’
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