SEVERE weather warnings for snow and bitterly cold winds have been issued by the Met Office for the whole of Cornwall this week as the so called 'Beast from the East' bears down on the county.

High pressure is drawing in cold weather from Siberia across the whole of Europe bring with it freezing temperatures and bitterly cold easterly winds. Snow is forecast with it due to hit Cornwall in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

Temperatures could drop as low as -6 °C.

Today will feel bitterly cold, with a brisk easterly wind, which will bring a few scattered snow showers along the south coast later in the day. Maximum temperature 3 °C.

Tonight will be mostly dry with clear skies overnight, which will lead to a widespread severe and penetrating frost for many. A breezy night for many. Minimum temperature -6 °C.

The outlook for Tuesday to Friday is extremely cold with a significant wind chill for most. Frequent snow showers Wednesday, with some brighter spells. Probably a spell of prolonged and disruptive snow arriving Thursday night into Friday.

Yellow warnings have been issued by the Met Office with snow showers or longer periods of snow expected on Tuesday, accompanied by very low temperatures. There is the potential for travel delays on roads, with some stranded vehicles and passengers, as well as delays or cancellations to rail and air travel. Some rural communities could become cut off. Power cuts may also occur and other services, such as mobile phones, may be affected.

Heavy snow showers are also expected on Wednesday. when again there is also the potential for travel delays on roads, with some stranded vehicles and passengers, as well as delays or cancellations to rail and air travel. Some rural communities could become cut off. Power cuts may also occur and other services, such as mobile phones, may be affected.

There is also potential for a spell of heavy snow, accompanied by strong winds, to move slowly north through Thursday afternoon and night. There is a small chance that long delays and cancellations on bus, rail and air travel could occur. There is a slight chance that roads may become blocked by deep snow, with stranded vehicles and passengers. There is a small chance that long interruptions to power supplies and other services such as telephones, may occur.

The Chief Forecaster's assessment says: "Snow showers will bring very variable snow cover, with the potential for a further 10-15 cm of snow in places where showers are most frequent whilst nearby locations may see only small accumulations of 1-3cm.

Strong winds will lead to drifting of snow and severe wind chill, while lightning could be an additional hazard, particularly near coasts. The warning area has been updated, while an Amber warning is being issued for areas considered most likely to see greater impacts."