THE Met Office has warned a spell of weather, dubbed the 'Beast of the East', could lead to most prolonged period of cold weather in Worcestershire since 2013.

Earlier this week the Worcester News reported an early seven day forecast was predicting temperatures to drop to -3C, but updated models show cold air from Siberia could lead to temperatures falling to -6C in the middle of next week.

The predicted freezing weather has been caused by a sudden rise in temperature in the atmosphere above the North Pole of 50 Degrees Celsius, known as a sudden stratospheric warning.

Worcestershire appears to be missing possible snow showers hitting the UK next week, although light snow is forecast for the start of the following week in the county.

The Met Office said: “Not everyone will see snowfall (next week) however 5-10cm is possible where showers do line up.

“These will also be accompanied by bitterly cold temperatures, and a significant wind chill.”

Dave Throup, Environment Agency manager for Worcestershire, said: “The beast from the east - next week's weather does look like being exceptionally cold as a freezing airmass moves in from Europe.

“Temperatures look like being 10-20C below normal, and normal max is 7-8C.”

Workers from Caring for Communities and People (CCP), Worcester City Council's county homelessness contractor have been alerted to a severe weather emergency protocol (SWEP) activated by the Government.

A SWEP protocol means extended winter provision, such as night shelters, for rough sleepers in the city.

Workers are set to to seek out rough sleepers on city streets and urge them to go to the Maggs Day Centre in Deansway.

To report a homeless person, or to report yourself to be homeless to Streetlink, go to streetlink.org.uk.

For a more detailed weather forecast visit the weather section of our website.