After a tantalising glimpse of what could be in store in the spring the grip of winter is set to return to Moray with a vengeance this weekend.
The Met Office is warning that a cold front is set to drive snow and ice throughout the north with a yellow warning for snow issued in the entire Grampian region for Sunday and Monday.
Caused by a cold front crossing the Atlantic, forecasters are saying that while much of this will produce ice and rain there will be snowfalls on higher parts of Moray.
“Rain, sleet and snow spreading east on Sunday will tend to turn back to rain, but remain as snow on high ground where accumulations of more than 5cm are expected in places,” a Met Office spokesman said.
He added that winds gusting to over 50mph on coastal and hill areas will follow – with blizzard conditions on higher areas.
The spokesman added: “The public should be aware of difficult driving conditions and the risk of disruption to traffic from late on Sunday and into Monday.”
The cold weather front returns just as the Scottish Environment Protection Agency has warned of higher than usual tides that could cause coastal flooding along the Moray Firth.