‘Beast from the East’ to return with snow, ice and high winds

THE “Beast from the East” is set to return this weekend, with freezing temperatures potentially resulting in fresh water shortages.

The cold front is due to sweep down the country from north-east Scotland from Friday to Sunday, with 2-5cm of snow expected.

The worst-affected areas are expected to be in the east, with London likely to experience snow, although there are fears it could spread west.

The whole of the UK can expect cold weather over the weekend, with highs of two to three degrees and a strong easterly wind, which will make it feel like -3C.

A spokesman for Thames Water said it was monitoring the situation after the “unprecedented” cold weather earlier this year lead to criticism, after customers were left for up to a week without water.

The worst of the weather is expected on Sunday, when precipitation in the south of England is likely to fall as snow.

This will spread from Dorset across to Sussex, mainly in the far south, and is also expected to reach London.

Monday is expected to be unseasonably cold, but during the week temperatures will rise.

A Met Office spokesman said: “It’s very cold for this time of year. There was a spell in March 2013 that was similar. We get more snow in the UK in March than we do in December. It’s unusual to have two bursts.”

Previous cold weather left many motorists stranded. RAC spokesman Simon Williams said: “Motorists who have to be on the road at the weekend need to prepare themselves properly.”