ICY wind from will be sweeping across Britain tomorrow, possibly bringing a snowy start to Monday morning.

With average temperatures in December and January about 1C below average, this winter already looks as though it is going to be the coldest since 1995/1996.

Although the latest cold snap will not be as bad as the one which dumped about four inches of snow on York, it is going to mean there will be a freezing start to February. With this in mind, people are being urged to wrap up warm and take care on the region’s roads over the next week, with longer journey times predicted.

James Player, of Age Concern York, said the cold could spell dangers for older people because of their physiology, as well as causing problems like icy payments.

He advised people not to worry too much about bills, saying it was more important that they were warm. Wearing several thin layers is more effective than one thick layer as they trap more warm air close to the body and thin layers also allow people to move around easier.

He added that it is also a good idea to keep taking hot food and drink throughout the day.

A weather forecaster with the MeteoGroup said icy air would be coming in from the East from the steppes of northern Russia.

He said today and tomorrow there will be a “brisk easterly wind” which will make it feel chillier than it actually is.

But as tomorrow progresses the colder air from Russia will push in, gradually bringing the temperature down. On the leading edge of the cold front, the forecaster said there may well be a band of rain showers and sleet and the weather will become cloudier as the cold air passes over the relatively warm North Sea.

Tomorrow evening there is the chance of snow and hail, while overnight the temperature will drop and there will be a number of snow showers around the York region, but particularly likely on the North York Moors.

On Monday, commuters may well wake up to a covering of a few centimetres of snow in some places. Although the weather is likely to remain cold during the week it will turn drier and brighter towards Thursday, although this will probably bring sharper frosts in the mornings.

Weather ahead:

Tomorrow: Easterly wind with possibility of snow later on Monday: Snowy start and scattered snow showers throughout the day.

Tuesday: Cloudy with still a chance of snow, particularly over high ground.

Wednesday: Temperatures remain just above freezing, but clearer skies lead to greater chance of frost Thursday: Sunny but cold with sharp frosts expected.