THE Met Office is warning commuters to take extra care this evening as temperatures are expected to plunge.

Weathermen have issued a yellow alert for ice this evening until 11am tomorrow.

The problems could be exacerbated by snow on higher ground - although any showers are expected to be brief.

A spokesman said: "Road surface temperatures will fall widely below freezing this evening and overnight into Saturday, leading to a risk of ice on untreated surfaces.

"This will be exacerbated by showers in places, more especially across Scotland where 2-5 cm fresh snowfall may accumulate above 150m with up to 10 cm settling above 300 m.

"Further south, a mixture of rain, sleet and wet snow is likely, with most of any settling snow taking place above about 200 m. However, wet roads at low levels will contribute to the risk of ice formation."

The AA said drivers should take extra care and allow more time to complete their journeys.