A weather alert has been issued by the Met Office with a 70% probability of snow forecast for the south east this weekend.

The level two alert suggests severe cold weather and heavy snow could fall on Friday morning until Monday.

A cold easterly airflow is expected to develop during the coming weekend and is likely to last until early next week.

However, the statement issued by the Met Office says the chill felt this weekend is unlikely to be as chaotic as the snow and ice brought in by the Beast from the East.

The statement also said: “There is currently a lot of uncertainty about snowfall location, timing and amounts, but there is high confidence in low temperatures countrywide.”

The yellow alert triggered by the Met Office is sent out as soon as the risk is 60% or above for any of the thresholds to be breached.

Meanwhile, Gritting Kent has issued a 'red' warning for Saturday, which means road surface temperatures are expected to fall below freezing with ice and/or snow and freezing rain likely.

An 'amber' warning is also in place for Friday with road surface temperatures predicted to drop to between zero and 1C.