A weather warning has been issued to the Felixstowe peninsula fortonight, and for the next three days, as a front dubbed the 'Beast from the East 2' is sweeping in from Scandinavia.

The Met Office has warned the first half of tonight will have further rain, which will give way to outbreaks of sleet and snow from the east later tonight with a strengthening north-easterly wind, as Storm Darcy hits the east of England

An amber warning - meaning travel issues and power cuts are likely - will come into force for the Felixstowe area early on Sunday.

Met Office weather expert Steven Keates said there would be "many similarities" with the Beast from the East in 2018. It is due to a combination of cold air from Scandinavia and Russia plus Storm Darcy bringing winds and snow, he said.

The meteorologist said: "The air mass is not quite as cold as it was then, so it's not quite as extreme, but nonetheless this is probably the coldest weather we'll see across the UK as a whole since then.

"And if you're stepping outside at all through the next few days, it really is going to feel cold. Temperatures [will be] barely above freezing on a thermometer, and when you factor in a strong easterly wind, you'll be feeling many degrees below freezing."

Snow in the East of England and London and the South East from 23:00 on Saturday until 06:00 on Monday

Snow and ice along the entire eastern length of Britain from 15:00 on Saturday until Wednesday.

Met Office forecasters have also warned of "significant disruptive snowfall" and gale force winds in the south-east of England, saying up to 30cm of snow is possible.

Meteorologist Sarah Kent said: "It is a small chance but the threat is there, up to a foot of snow potentially combined with extremely strong easterly winds. Even inland in that area, gusting could be 45mph and higher than that on the coasts.

"This could lead to significant drifting of any lying snow and obviously blizzards for the snow coming past you for anyone who is attempting to travel.

"Sadly there will be people who have to make journeys for the emergency services and there are still lorries that have to go to the ports. It is going to be really disruptive.

"With that sort of snowfall, you would expect some roads to be closed or blocked by the drifting snow, and long delays or some cancellations of public transport."

Public Health England's Dr Owen Landeg said it was "crucial" people looked out for those who may be vulnerable during the cold snap.

He called on the public to make sure those at-risk have enough food and drink to stay warm and well.

The conditions are caused by cold air spreading east from the Arctic Circle, tracking across the relatively mild North Sea to form showers that bring snow and a significant wind chill.

Storm Darcy, which was named by the Netherlands, is bringing an area of low pressure, adding moisture to the cold air to help form the snow.