Oh snow! The Beast from the East II is set to strike

YOU might have thought spring had finally sprung nearly three weeks after the worst snowstorms for more than 25 years.

But the Beast from the East’s poor relation will batter Scotland this weekend as the country faces yellow ‘be aware’ warnings of icy conditions and up to eight inches of snow.

And things could be worse in parts of England, where an amber ‘be prepared’ alert has been issued – even in London.

Nicknamed the Beast from the East II, winds drawn straight from Siberia will hit the country, the same conditions that caused havoc at the start of this month.

Although not expected to be as severe, forecasters say ‘significant’ snowfall will disrupt travel into tomorrow. Several

‘Showers feeding in from the East’

Highland League football games have been called off.

Met Office spokesman Helen Roberts said: ‘We are pulling cold air from the Continent, resulting in low temperatures that are very unusual for this time of year.

‘On Saturday we will start to see the cool air right across the country, with showers feeding in from the East.’

The first snow warning, which expires at 9am today, forecast up to eight inches of snow over high ground in Central, Tayside, Fife, Grampian, Highlands and Islands and Strathclyde.

The second runs from 5pm until 10am tomorrow, affecting Central, Tayside and Fife, Grampian, South-West Scotland, Lothian and Borders and Strathclyde.

Snow gates were closed yesterday in Aberdeenshire on the A939 at Cock Bridge and the B974 between Banchory and Fettercairn. Wind restrictions were placed on several bridges and a number of CalMac services were cancelled.