Weather maps reveal snow is predicted for New Year’s Eve as “the Beast from the East” makes its return.

Strong easterly winds will make temperatures feel significantly colder than actual readings over the coming week. This will reach its peak on and around December 31, when wind chill could make it feel as frigid as -6C across sections of East England and the Home Counties, including Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire, reports the Mirror..

Similar conditions are expected in parts of Northeast England, such as County Durham, during the evening of December 31, according to forecasters.

This marks a stark change from the mild conditions Britain has enjoyed recently, with temperatures surpassing 12C in north Wales and throughout the Midlands. Nevertheless, Arctic air is sweeping in from Scandinavia ahead of the new year, bringing snow to eastern regions of the country.

Weather maps from forecasters Metdesk display a white band stretching along the eastern coastline from Aberdeenshire in the north down to Suffolk in the south. The heaviest snowfall, predicted for New Year’s Eve night, is expected to hit East Yorkshire and Humberside.

The Met Office website states: “Cloud breaking through the Christmas period with more sunny spells emerging. Largely dry, but also feeling cold with a notable wind chill across England and Wales. Frosty by night.”

This prediction is backed by another Metdesk map, which displays a dark blue shade blanketing the UK. The deeper tones appear in the southern and eastern regions of the country, most notably throughout the East of England.

Whilst temperatures will drop sufficiently for snow in southern areas, it’s improbable that New Year’s Eve celebrators will witness wintry precipitation as they welcome the new year. Rainfall is anticipated further west, including throughout the Midlands.

The BBC indicates temperatures will begin declining in the days following Christmas. Its website states: “Friday and Saturday look to remain dry, chilly and settled, with areas of cloud drifting in from the north-east at times, but staying brighter in the south and west.”

More than 20mm of rainfall occurred on the Isles Of Scilly on Monday. Heavy precipitation also descended across Cumbria, according to Met Office data.

Several flood warnings and alerts remain active throughout the Christmas period, predominantly across the Southwest of England. There is specific concern regarding groundwater flooding for the Hooke in Dorset and for Curry Moor and Hay Moor in Somerset.