TWO Met Office weather alerts for snow and ice have been issued for the Helensburgh and Lomond area later this week. 

The first of two yellow 'be aware' warnings runs from 6pm on Thursday, February 8 through to 3pm the following day.

This warning covers almost the whole of central and southern Scotland, apart from western areas of Argyll and Bute and the coast of Angus, Fife and the Lothians.

But a second warning, this time covering the north of the country, but with Helensburgh and Lomond at its southern edge, then takes effect as soon as the first one ceases.

This second warning is currently in place from 3pm on Friday until 6pm on Saturday.

The weather experts say snow showers and ice may bring some difficult driving conditions and localised transport disruption.

The Met Office said: "Outbreaks of sleet and snow will gradually spread northwards across the warning area on Thursday evening and during Friday.

"Accumulations will vary from place to place and will mainly be across high ground (above about 300 metres) - here, some areas are expected to see 1-3 cm of snow through this period but perhaps as much as 8-10cm in a few locations.

"Ice will be an additional hazard."

Full details of this week's weather warnings can be found at the Met Office's website.