Britain to be hit by 'Mini Beast from the East' this weekend and could bring up to 20cm of snow

Britain will be hit by fresh snow this weekend – thanks to a ‘mini Beast from the East‘.

The Met Office says temperatures are poised to tumble as the bitter blast could bring up to 5cm in some parts and up to 20cm on higher ground – prompting yellow snow warnings to be issued.

Forecaster Craig Snell said the cold snap will only last a few days but warned many places over the weekend will suffer near to freezing temperatures.

‘As we go through the course of Friday the rain across eastern Scotland and north east England will gradually transition to snow across the higher ground,’ he said.

‘Then as we go through Friday night and into Saturday, that snow risk then falls down to lower levels and with an increased risk of ice as well.

‘Sunday will see a fairly widespread yellow warning for snow across a good chunk of England, and also parts of eastern Wales.

‘The other thing to note is that will be quite windy and that will enhance the cold feel.’

Meteorologist Martin Bowles said the weekend’s weather is not Beast from the East Mark Two, but could be called a ‘mini Beast from the East’ as it will be less severe.

He added: ‘We don’t expect anything like the same impact as a result of it, although there will be some snow about.’

The Met Office warnings for snow and ice begin at 3pm on Friday for central and eastern Scotland and the north east, and run into all of Saturday where more of England is included.

The warning for all of Sunday, when ‘significant snowfall’ is expected, shows vast swathes of the south, central and east of England covered by the yellow advisory.

Mr Snell said: ‘I think if you live in England at least there will be a good chance you will probably see some snow, whether it amounts to much will depend on where you are.

‘Some places might see 2-5cm other places might see a brief dusting.’

The Met Office has announced yellow snow warning that travel disruption is possible for several parts of the country.

Rural communities could become cut off, vehicles may be stranded and power cuts may occur, forecasters warned.

The original ‘Beast from the East’ struck at the end of last month and earlier in March, leaving large parts of Britain under snow and vital services struggling to cope.