Highways England for the South East region has issued a statement amid weather forecasts predicting that Beast from the East 2 could hit the UK next week. 

It comes as weather forecasters warn that similar weather which occurred in 2018 and resulted in the Beast from the East, could hit the UK again. 

The Met Office shared that a major sudden jump in temperatures through a Sudden Stratospheric Warming (SSW) could trigger a large area of blocking high pressure later this month or early March. 

An SSW took place back in 2018 which saw the Beast from the East hit the UK and blanket much of the nation, including South East London. 

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Highways England issues statement amid Beast from the East 2

Highways England for the South East and East has shared that they are keeping an eye on conditions. 

A spokesperson said: "At the moment we are not expecting temperatures to drop below freezing. However, we are continue [sic] to monitor the situation and are prepared to step up our plans if the situation changes."

It comes as the Met Office has stressed that an SSW will not necessarily mean a repeat of the Beast from the East.

They shared that for the next week or so, it is likely to lead to "changeable conditions" with temperatures milder than average.

"Temperatures will likely be around or slightly above average for the whole period, with perhaps colder conditions relative to average more likely later in the period. There remains a small probability of much colder weather developing as we move further into March," they added.