UK weather – Snow and ice warnings for almost entire UK today as Beast from the East II looms

SNOW and ice warnings cover nearly all of the entire UK today as the Beast from the East II looms.

An arctic blast from Greenland has left the country shivering as snow was dumped overnight and leaving treacherous conditions on the roads.

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Temperatures fell to -15C in some spots, with yellow warnings issued for most of the country today by the Met Office.

It comes as another Beast from the East is set to arrive next week, with snowstorms and extreme temperatures expected to batter Britain in the cold blast.

The last Siberian weather front to be given the nickname hit in 2018 when snow blanketed large parts of Britain and temperatures plummeted to -10C.

The Met Office is tracking a event of sudden stratospheric warming, which is what brought in the heavy snow three years ago.

This is what could lead to similar weather systems arriving in the UK in the next few weeks, but it is hard to predict when - however it is expected to be colder than average with more snow at the end of the month.

Met Office spokesman Oli Claydon said yellow warnings for snow and ice were in place, as police forces and councils issued calls to motorists to be careful on icy roads.

He said: "There's an even colder pool of air coming in from Greenland going to be affecting Scotland.

"So, showers feeding into Scotland off the North Sea coming in as snow showers down to lower level."

He added: "The wintry theme continues, certainly for the next couple of days, but we're then looking at a warming trend with slightly less cold air moving in over the weekend."

The warning, which is valid until midday on Friday, says around 0.8in to 2in (2cm to 5cm) of snow is expected to fall in the area, with up to 4in (10cm) possible in a few places above 492ft (150m), mainly in the far north and north-east.

As well as the Beast from the East, meteorologists are also tracking a La Nina in the Pacific, which could bring wet and stormy weather as it increases the UK's chances of westerly winds.

Researchers from the Universities of Bristol, Bath and Exeter have predicted an imminent sudden stratospheric warming over the North Pole, bringing severe consequences for jet stream and weather in the UK.

Ambulance services have urged people to plan their journeys ahead of setting off and to wrap up warm to ease pressures on emergency services.

Residents of the North East woke to temperatures of just above freezing today, after snow fell overnight.

NorthEast Police tweeted: "Driving conditions across the North East are challenging this morning following heavy overnight snow.

"Motorists are reminded to allow extra time for their journeys, to drive according to the conditions and ensure windows and lights are clear of snow and ice before setting off."

The treacherous and freezing conditions are set to last until about midday today.

Met Office meteorologist Clare Nasir said the wintry weather will be brought on by a "bank of rain which readily turns to snow".

It swept in from Scotland and Northern Ireland in the early hours yesterday, to England and Wales.