Heavy snow warning: Exact date 'up to four INCHES' could blanket the UK in December - 'Prepare cars and clothing'

A major freeze has been forecast by some meteorologists this winter with up to four inches of snow hitting parts of the UK in December.

Winds from Poland and Russia could lead to wintry downpours as Christmas approaches.

Some have suggested the infamous ‘Beast for the East’ could make a return to the UK.

Jim Dale, meteorologist for British Weather Services, told the Express: "The origins from the particular regime is continental. In essence, I'm going to say Russia and Siberia.

"High pressure basically over Scandinavia and northern Russia. So we get a Beast from the East. It's from the east which is always a very cold direction. We get into December and in no man's land.

"High pressure growing over eastern Europe through the end of November will drive the cold blast as it nudges closer to the UK.

“Right now it is classical season temperature changes, mist and fog, then we get the easterlies, the breeze.

"You won't notice the breeze much from Wednesday onwards, it won't be crazy, just a bit chilly."

However, he added that from the first week of December as temperatures lower “It starts to pick up more and by now we have got some snow over the higher ground in Scotland.

"The snow showers will be sporadic, waiting for the bigger stuff from Europe, which is very sub-zero.

"The freeze from those Eastern parts is transporting itself into ourselves, and that will probably mean as we move towards Christmas (I won't say Christmas itself) but around the 12th and 15th, that's when we can start to talk about potential snow events."

He strongly urged people to get ready for the cold, reminding them "Preparation is everything, think about cars and clothing.

"The beast from the east has woken up and has its eyes on Europe and when we get to December it will increase in size. That's what we're saying at this moment in time."

The outlook for the rest of this week is rain at times in the north and northwest. Elsewhere, mostly dry with some fog and frost, but with scattered showers in the east and south. Feeling rather cold