THERE are fears a new Beast from the East could arrive later this month.

The Met Office's forecast is that the winds will turn easterly this week, bringing with it possible rain and sleet to the UK.

But there are long term concerns about the 'sudden stratospheric warming' event happening at the North Pole, that could affect the weather here.

A similar weather event took place before Worcestershire was hit by the Beast from the East that brought heavy snow in 2018.

Met Office forecaster Alex Deakin said: "The winds high up in the atmosphere are going to drop down and change and that is called Sudden Stratospheric Warming where suddenly high up in the sky about the North Pole temperatures suddenly jump up.

"It can have an affect on the weather across the UK but in another weeks time.

"Next week the northerly winds will get replaced with easterly winds, but don't get too excited about that, not all easterly winds are the same."

READ MORE: Look back to when the Beast from the East storm hit the city

READ MORE: Coronavirus infection rate continues to increase in Worcester and across the county

The current forecast for Worcester next week is for it to be dry but cold, with temperatures reaching a peak of 5C most days.

The long term forecast for the week after is mainly dry will the chance of sleet.

In the 2018 Beast from the East, hostels in the city were at maximum capacity due to the number of rough sleepers who found shelter from freezing temperatures.

The persistent snow and freezing temperatures brought disruption to Worcestershire’s schools and roads, many schools were forced to close due to the freezing temperatures and Maggs Day Centre hosted a night shelter and it ran out of beds on three nights at one point.