The Beast is back... with A FOOT of snow!
A NEW ‘ Beast from the East’ is set to plunge Britain into sub-zero temperatures from today and blanket some areas in up to 12in of snow.
Severe weather warnings are in place as Storm Darcy, which is blowing in from Russia at 50mph, brings t he coldest weather since the bitter snap of 2018 in which 17 people died.
Snow, freezing rain and thick ice have been forecast across the UK, with people urged to look out for the vulnerable.
There are fears that Covid-19 vaccinations could be disrupted.
The South East is under a snow warning until noon on Wednesday, with ‘significant disruptive snowfall’ predicted from today across Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Kent and London.
The Met Office said there were likely to be long delays and cancellations on transport, with roads liable to be blocked by deep snow.
There could also be interruptions to power supplies and other services, such as gas, water and telephone l i nes. Forecasters have issued yellow alerts for snow and ice across eastern England and Scotland, with up to a foot of snow expected in the central Highlands.
In addition, there are almost 200 flood warnings and flood alerts in place as torrential rain continues to fall on areas already deluged in central and northern England. Kirkstall Forge train station in Leeds was closed yesterday due to flooding, and football pundit Chris Kamara took to social media to post pictures of him bailing water out of his home in nearby Wakefield.
The Environment Agency has warned of flooding for parts of the lower River Severn, the Thames and the River Ouse in North Yorkshire over the next five days.
Steven Keates, of the Met Office, said there were ‘many similarities’ between Storm Darcy and Storm Emma in 2018, which plunged Britain into weeks of disruption.
‘ This is probably the coldest weather we’ll see across the UK as a whole since then,’ he said.
‘If you’re stepping outside at all through the next few days, it really is going to feel cold.
‘ Temperatures will barely be above freezing on a thermometer and when you factor in a strong, easterly wind, you’ll be feeling many degrees below freezing.’
Dr Owen Landeg, of Public Health England, stressed the importance of looking out for the vulnerable during freezing weather, adding: ‘For older people and those with heart and lung problems, it can increase the risk of heart attacks, strokes and chest infections.
‘So, it’s really crucial to check on frail or older neighbours or relatives. Remind them of important health tips such as heating their home to at least 18C (64.4F).’