BLAST FROM SIBERIA IS WHITE ON TIME

Severe delays are expected as snow hits road and public transport networks. Jeremy Plester from Meteogroup UK, warned that most regions could be affected by the weather shake-up. The North-East, Lincolnshire and the Pennines may see heavy snowfall. “There’s cold air coming from Russia that’s going to be moving across the whole of the UK. There’s the potential for quite a lot of snow,” he said.

Temperatures were likely to fall to -2C (29F) but with wind chill factors, it will probably feel like -8C (18F).

Brian Golding of the Met Office said: “After a mild Christmas and New Year, we will notice a change to cold and wintry weather.” Some forecasters are predicting a second, more severe arctic blast to arrive later in the month or early February, bringing the coldest temperatures in Britain more than a decade.

The Highways Agency last night warned drivers to plan ahead. A spokesman said: “Delay travelling if the weather becomes severe. Carry warm clothing, food and water, boots, de-icer, a torch and a spade and plenty of fuel.”