Siberian snow flurries put an end to Britain's mild winter

JUST as the UK thought it had got away with a temperate winter, weather forecasters have burst the balmy bubble with news that a bitter Siberian chill is on its way.

A mass of cold air, currently over Russia, is expected to arrive on Sunday night and a Met Office spokeswoman has said there is a "good chance" of snow falling across the country by early next week.

Some parts of the UK were hit with snowstorms yesterday. Cumbria, the Pennines and Scotland's southern uplands and highlands are bracing themselves for up to four inches of snow today, while parts of Wales, the Midlands and Devon might also see a light dusting.

Two Strathclyde police officers were taken to hospital with minor injuries last night after their car collided with a lorry in the first casualties of the cold snap, according to the Daily Mail.

Temperatures are set to fall to -3C in the south and -5C in the north by the weekend, with more widespread wintry showers and hail expected tomorrow.

The Met Office has warned people to be aware of ice on roads, while Whitehall and councils have been briefed to ensure gritters are out and cold weather precautions are at the ready.

Britain had been on track for one of the mildest winters since records began more than 350 years ago. But experts believe the freezing weather could linger across the country until mid-February.

A Met Office spokeswoman said in The Daily Telegraph today: "Cold weather is winning the battle for dominance and people will notice the cold carrying on for more than a few days."

That said, the longer-term is less gloomy. The Met Office has predicted that 2012 could be one of the top ten warmest years since 1850. ·