THE BEAST IS BACK..
Country faces new weather front from Russia that threatens havoc
THE Beast from the East Two will hit Britain this morning, bringing four days of snow, ice and freezing cold temperatures.
Whole communities could be cut off as up to 12in of snow falls in some parts of the country, with weather forecasters warning of widespread travel chaos, power cuts and snowdrifts.
London and eastern parts of the country will feel the full force of a depression called Storm Darcy today.
It will arrive at the same time as we are hit by a weather front from Russia – dubbed the Beast from the East Two after a similar one in 2018 – that will see bitter Siberian winds and bad weather well into next week.
Amber weather warnings are in place from this afternoon in parts of the capital, as well as Norfolk, Suffolk,
Essex and Kent
8in of snow.
But forecasters have warned that as much as 12in could fall in areas such as the North Downs in Kent.
Meanwhile, milder yellow warnings are in place for snowfalls of up to 8in in Lincolnshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Yorkshire, County Durham, Humberside, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Derbyshire, Northumberland and Buckinghamshire.
Met Office forecaster Becky Mitchell said: “We are likely to see a lot of disruption, particularly in the South East
which could see up to where communities could end up being cut off.
“The problem of snow will be exacerbated by really strong winds of between 40-50mph, which could cause snowdrifts and bring severe travel disruption and treacherous driving conditions.
“It is going to be a tough few days.”
The west of the British Isles, including and counties such as
should escape the worst of the bad weather although some areas could see snow.
But the whole of the country will face icy cold conditions with temperatures struggling to get above freezing point during the day, and bitter winds making it feel even colder.
Forecasters are advising people to wrap up warm if they have to go out and say it could feel as cold as -9C in parts of the country due to the wind.
People have also been urged to check in on the elderly and vulnerable during the bad weather conditions, which could last into Wednesday or even longer.
Freezing conditions and strong winds will make it feel bitterly cold