HEAVY snow has hit Britain with warnings of disruption to roads and public transport.

The wintry blast, dubbed "the Beast from the East", swept into the UK on Monday morning.

Some parts of the country are set to feel colder than the Arctic Circle as freezing temperatures continue into the week ahead.

Here is what we know so far:

  • Amber warnings of snow have been issued by the Met Office for North-East, central and south-eastern England on Tuesday, and eastern Scotland on Wednesday.
  • The wind chill, which could see parts of the UK feeling as cold as minus 15C (5F), rivals the temperatures forecast for parts of northern Norway and Iceland.
  • Doctors have warned that the NHS could struggle to cope with the extra strain caused by the weather. People are being warned to check on elderly or vulnerable neighbours during the cold spell.
  • Redcar & Cleveland Council ‘Streetscene’ teams will be working hard through the night to ensure our roads are safe and services remain operational. Gritters will be on the road from today (Monday) on all primary and secondary routes. From midnight our teams will be dealing with snow clearance and keeping main primary routes open. Work gritting and ploughing will continue until 10am tomorrow when the situation will be reviewed. 
  • Cleveland Police Tips for Keeping Safe: Listen to your local radio station for traffic and travel information; Look on the Met Office website for the latest updates before travelling; Check Cleveland Police, your Local Authority website regularly for any advice or updates; Allow more time for your journey and make sure you and your vehicle are prepared by: Clearing ice or snow off your windscreen, windows, roof, mirrors and lights; Checking tyre pressure, brakes and lights; Carrying warm clothing, sturdy footwear, drinks and snacks with you – in case of delay or breakdown; Making sure your mobile phone is fully charged and that if you’re a member of a breakdown or recovery service (eg AA, RAC or similar) you have their number saved in your phonE; Driving according to road conditions – leave more space between you and the vehicle in front of you, avoiding sudden braking or manoeuvres so you don’t skid
  • A Stockton Council spokesman said: “Our winter maintenance gritting crews are on standby 24/7 from October until late April (including Christmas and New Year's Day) ready to treat the roads whenever frost and snow is forecast. “In severe weather, our priority is to keep open all major routes and roads serving emergency facilities and outlying communities. As always during periods of freezing temperatures, we have been gritting the Borough’s major routes to help minimise disruption. This will continue for as long as necessary. Although we call it grit, the product we actually spread on our roads and footpaths is rock salt. The salt works by lowering the freezing point of moisture on the road surface so it has to become colder before ice will form. Before salt can become effective it needs to be crushed by traffic and dissolved into solution. If the forecast snow materialises then we will also divert staff from cleansing, grounds maintenance and routine highways duties to support snow clearance operations."
  • A Darlington Borough Council spokeswoman said: “In line with Met Office weather forecasts, Darlington Borough Council has 6 gritters and snowploughs ready to treat and clear routes across the borough from 8pm this evening (Monday 26 February)“The entire winter maintenance team at the council will be involved, working in 12 hour shifts to provide 24 hour coverage, with further gritting runs taking place night and day as required.“The aim is to keep the main roads through the town and to communities in rural areas as clear as possible by gritting and clearing primary and secondary routes.“Drivers are urged to leave extra time for their journeys and to ensure their vehicle is prepared for the conditions.“Updates on the conditions, potential school closures and any disruption to council services will be posted on Facebook and Twitter.”