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MORAY COUNCIL GRITTERS were out in force overnight as temperatures plummeted throughout the region.

Motorists are being warned, however, that gritting can only go so far in preventing ice from forming on roads – and with temperatures in places falling below -5c treatment may not be as effective, so drivers are being urged to take account of conditions.

Particular attention was given to main routes around Dufftown, Forres, Lossiemouth, Elgin and Buckie with gritters returning to roads this morning. The work comes against a backdrop where the Met Office are predicting the lowest temperatures of the winter so far in large parts of the country.

Temperatures as low as -10c are likely around Tomintoul and Dufftown, with the Met Office spokeswoman Nicola Maxey warning: “The coldest temperature we have seen this year is minus 13c in Scotland – and we are likely to see temperatures slightly below that.

“We are not talking about such extremes in town and city centres – it is out in rural areas and more exposed areas, particularly over lying snow where we will see the temperatures drop the most.”

Overnight the temperature in Dufftown dropped to -5c with snow being predicted for later today – sub-zero temperatures are expected in many parts of Moray throughout today and into the weekend.