Heaviest falls in 18 years and there's more on way

THE heaviest snow in London since 1991 is caused by a freezing wind from Russia, forecasters said today.

The sub zero winds have been dragged over the South-East by an area of high pressure over Ireland.

This high pressure area caused a massive clockwise cycle of weather systems to form around Britain, which led the freezing Russian winds being dragged over the North Sea before hitting the South-East yesterday.

As the winds travelled over the sea, they picked up moisture before hitting an area of warmer air from mainland Europe, causing snow to form.

"This combination of cold Russian air and warm European air hit each other over the South-East, and the Thames estuary in particular," said Met Office forecaster Robin Downton.

The extremely cold wind meant it has caused snow, rather than rain, and up to six inches of snow in London, particularly in south London, he said.

Temperatures plummeted last night to -2C, which the Met Office said would feel like -6C taking into account the biting winds.

This winter is already recorded as the coldest in 13 years with temperatures plunging to lows of -13C during a three-week freeze last month.

The Met Office is forecasting more snow for this afternoon and a thaw overnight which could cause travel problems tomorrow.

More snow is likely from Wednesday to Friday, forecasters say.