UK weather forecast for Storm Darcy - dubbed Beast from the East 2

The storm - also known as Beast from the East 2 - is the result of strong easterly winds from Ukraine and the Black Sea area.

The east plus London and the south-east of England are covered by amber warnings of snow through to Monday lunchtime, which predict possible widespread travel disruption and possible power cuts.

Various warnings for snow and ice across eastern areas the length of Britain are in place until Wednesday.

The Met Office said Sunday started “on a wintry note in some areas, with rain turning increasingly to snow across the south-east of the UK, and snow showers feeding into the north-east.”

People enjoy the fresh snow in Wye National Nature Reserve near Ashford in Kent

The forecasters have warned of “significant disruptive snowfall” and gale-force winds in the south-east of England, with up to 30cm of snow possible.

Storm Darcy is the low pressure system that is bringing heavy snow and strong winds to East Anglia and south-east England, the Met Office said.

Yellow warnings for snow are in place today until midnight on Wednesday.

The warning adds: “Accumulations of snow will be widely 5-10cm with 15-20cm in places and a small chance of 25-30cm for a few sites.

What are the vital ingredients needed for #snow, and what causes those amazing big ❄️ fluffy flakes of snow to develop?

Here's all you need to know about how snow forms 👇 pic.twitter.com/0lELCjPgSI

— Met Office (@metoffice) February 7, 2021

“Very strong easterly winds with gusts of 40-45mph inland and 50-55mph along north-east facing coasts will also lead to drifting of lying snow.

“During Monday morning the snow will turn more intermittent before gradually easing.”

The cold snap driven by the easterly winds is not expected to be as widespread as the Beast from the East in 2018.

Met Office meteorologist Sarah Kent said: “The air will be cold but it will not be as bitingly cold as it was back in 2018.”

SEE MORE:

• Met Office say Beast from the East could arrive this week
• Met Office update on Beast from the East
• A cold weather warning is currently in place for UK

Met Office Chief Meteorologist Paul Gundersen said: "The UK is in for a notably cold and snowy period over the next week, with very cold air in place over the whole of the UK by Sunday.

"Showers will see snow accumulating across eastern areas.

"More widespread snow is expected and we could see 5-10 cm of snow quite widely, with a chance that a few places could see 20 cm or more.

"With such severe weather around it's important to keep up to date with the latest forecast."

A Met Office spokesman said high pressure is expected to remain over Scandinavia throughout the week

Cold Weather Alerts are in place across England, with temperatures across the UK falling as the cold air moves in, widespread overnight frosts and wind chill making daytime temperatures feel freezing. 

Weather forecast for London and the South East:

Today:

Snow showers will continue, with further accumulations and drifting. Strong easterly winds, gales on coasts. Feeling bitterly cold.

The areas covered by Met Office weather warnings today

Daytime temperatures near freezing, hard, severe frost overnight. Maximum temperature 0C.

Outlook for Tuesday to Thursday:

Fewer wintry showers, but with lying snow and risk of icy stretches. Remaining bitterly cold in fresh or strong winds. Some winter sunshine between showers.

Hard or severe overnight frosts.