'Beast from the East 2' could hit Milton Keynes next week, Met office warns

The first Beast from the East caused havoc across the city in February 2018, with schools closed and travel chaos.

Today the Met Office predicts a second frozen blast from Russia will hit Britain from the middle of next week, with the potential for heavy snow showers and plummeting temperatures.

High pressure will start to build to the north of Europe over the weekend, say Met Office experts.

"This will gradually push the weak low over the UK southwards towards France. As the low moves south, a cold easterly wind will develop, first in Scotland and then spreading south through Saturday and Sunday,". they said

"The high will be bringing colder air from northwest Russia through the Baltic and North Seas and into the UK. As the colder air crosses the relatively warmer North Sea, heavy showers are likely to develop and move into eastern and central parts of Britain. .

Next week will begin with colder, potentially snowy weather but by midweek temperatures could drop further. Some experts are predicting they could be as low as minus 7C in the east of England.

The Met office spokesman said high pressure is expected to remain over Scandinavia throughout the week.

"This setup is similar to the classic 'Beast from the East' from 2018... We have high confidence that the high pressure system will develop, and it will turn colder than normal. The coldest days will tend to be around midweek as the air from Russia finally arrives in force."

Meanwhile, with more rain forecast over the weekend, there is still a flood alert in place on the Middle River Great Ouse in Milton Keynes, Bedford Borough and Central Bedfordshire.

An Environment Agency spokesman said: "Flooding is possible - be prepared."

He added: "River levels remain high, but are falling at the Newport Pagnell river gauge as a result of the recent rainfall throughout the catchment. Consequently, flooding of property, roads and farmland remains possible today."