BEHOLD THE BEAST
BRITS have been warned to stock up on food and medicine as a -12C Siberian blizzard prepares to sweep the UK.
Parts of the UK could be blasted with up to a FOOT of snow today as the "Beast from the East" blasts in icy air from the Arctic and brings the coldest spell for five years.
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The Met Office has now issued two amber warnings for snow, with travel delays and cancellations to travel "likely" and power cuts possible.
Public Health England issued a level-3 ‘Cold Weather Action’ alert – just one step below ‘National Emergency’.
They warned Brits to stock up on food and medications and avoid going outdoors.
Snow is expected to be heavy in much of the UK Tuesday morning, with a potential for 15cm of snow.
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Snow will start coming in from this afternoon, but the worst of the blizzard conditions are expected to hit on Thursday, the Met Office has warned.
After temperatures dropped to a low of -9C last night in some areas of the UK, the mercury is expected to average around -3C to -4C tonight.
Colder air is going to move in from the Eurasian Arctic this week causing temperatures to drop further as Brits are warned of widespread travel disruption.
Temperatures could feel around -10C because of icy winds.
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Yesterday was comparatively balmy - with clear blue skies enticing everyone from horse riders to swimmers to enjoy the weather despite the chilly conditions.
These already cold temperatures could drop to the double-minus figures overnight on Wednesday and Thursday - as low as -12C or colder, the Met Office warned.
Snowfall will be "powdery" and snow showers are expected to become harder and more widespread throughout the week.
Brits in eastern England were warned the could wake up today to a couple of centimetres of snow "in time for rush hour."
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By the end of Wednesday, a whopping seven inches of snow may have accumulated in some eastern counties of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
And the Met Office has predicted that up to 11 inches of snow could fall in certain areas in the North East by the end of the week.
NHS England said every degree drop in temperature below five triggers a ten per cent rise in breathing problems among the elderly, and a near one per cent increase in emergency admissions.
The Met Office slapped a further amber warning on North East Scotland and parts of North East England for Wednesday, with some vehicles expected to become "stranded" in heavy snow.
These come on top of three yellow weather warnings in place from today through to Wednesday, spreading from the eastern coast to the rest of the UK.
LATEST IN WEATHER
One positive for motorists is that frost and ice are unlikely to form due to the dryness of the air.
The Met Office is working with partners in road, rail and air transport to help minimise disruption to the public.
Met Office meteorologist Alex Burkill said: "We want to make sure people are safe in this weather.
"If you have things to do, try and get your chores and tasks finished earlier rather than later in the week when the weather will worsen," he said.
"And do check in on your friends and family, especially those who are most vulnerable."
Cold and windy weather to start to the day but also sunny as any initial patchy cloud quickly disperse
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