1000 vehicles stranded on the M80
The advice again today is not to attempt to travel
Last updated 1st Mar 2018
Extreme weather and jack-knifed lorries combined to cause "significant challenges'' on one of Scotland's main roads where motorists were stranded overnight, the Deputy First Minister said.
John Swinney said there had been an "extensive operation'' taking place to try to get traffic on the M80 motorway - which links Glasgow and Stirling - moving again.
The Amber warning for severe weather conditions has been extended until 10am on Friday morning.
Extreme weather left around a thousand vehicles stranded in an 8 mile tailback on the M80 when heavy snow hit,
Motorists reported being stuck for up to 13 hours, with some spending the night in their cars, and others abandoning their vehicles on the motorway.
Motorists were prepared for a night inside their vehicles and it was not until around 1.30am that Bear Scotland said traffic was moving "slowly'' in both directions, however conditions remained difficult.
Emergency responders and volunteer agencies, including mountain rescue teams, checked on stranded drivers, with some good samaritans also handing out food
Graeme Murray left Aberdeen at 2.45pm with his daughter Ella, 16, who was hoping to catch a flight to Dublin from Glasgow for an under-17s netball competition.
Speaking at around 10pm, the 49-year-old legal commercial director said: "Everything was going well until just after Gleneagles, then we hit the traffic jam at 5.05pm and have been here ever since.
"We have no idea what's happening, we're just getting messages from home.
"I think we're going to get ready to spend the night here.''
Mr Murray said there had been people from the local area who had been walking up and down the motorway offering chocolate biscuits and hot drinks.
All schools closed today
Police Scotland tweeted advice to avoid the route, while also telling people not to abandon their vehicles.
Superintendent Helen Harrison said: “We are now 24 hours into the red and amber-related advice not to travel on the roads and rush hour last night was noticeably less busy thanks to people heeding our message. It remains the same this rush hour coming – do not travel.
“Many of those people who did go out yesterday faced treacherous conditions, blocked roads, being stuck in their vehicles or even being involved in collisions. We do not want anyone to put themselves or others at risk in these conditions. We are continuing to run a multi-agency command centre at Bilston to coordinate the emergency response to the severe weather with our partners and keep Scotland moving as best we can.
No Scotrail trains in the 'Red Zone'
“If you can postpone your journey in affected areas until after the amber warning ceases, currently at 6pm tonight, I would urge you to do so. Many employers were able to allow staff to work flexibly and this approach is needed again today.
“We will continue to update you on the weather and travel conditions throughout the day so please follow our social media accounts and those of our partners @TrafficScotland and @MetOffice.
Other major roads also faced disruption, with the M74 being reduced to one lane heading north and south late on Wednesday.
Mountain rescue teams were drafted in to help emergency services deal with the overnight operation.
Every council in Glasgow and the west has closed schools today (Thursday) due to the weather.
No flights at Glasgow Airport
At Glasgow Airport British Red Cross volunteers have been supplying bedding for up to 100 passengers who may have been stranded overnight if they were unable to find hotel rooms.
All flights are stopped until at least 3pm on Thursday.
However, British Red Cross emergency response volunteers were at the airport supplying bedding for up to 100 people in case they were stranded overnight.
The extreme whether has also seen NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde cancel all non-essential operations and outpatient appointments on Thursday.
Scotrail are not currently operating any trains in the red warning zone until late morning.
Virgin Trains has closed all its routes to and from Scotland throughout the day.
Bus operators in central regions also reported there would likely be disruptions continuing on Thursday.