MARCH is almost here but don't put those winter coats away just yet.

Frosty weather is on the way and there's even a chance of snow as temperatures are set to plummet to sub-zero figures.

After a reasonably mild weekend with a forecast of sunshine and temperatures of up to five degrees Celsius, chilly conditions and bitterly cold winds will come in on Monday and stay throughout the week, leading to temperatures of, at best, one degree Celsius and at worst, minus five.

According to the Met Office website, snow is forecast for Tuesday.

Met Office Chief Meteorologist Andy Page said: “High pressure will become established across the UK by the middle of this week bringing settled weather for most.

"However, as the high drifts east to be over Scandinavia by the weekend, it will allow colder air from Eastern Europe to be drawn towards us.

"The cold easterly wind will bring an element of wind chill which will make it feel colder in the south.”

This change in the weather has been linked to a meteorological event which has happened high up in the stratosphere over the North Pole.

Prof Adam Scaife, of the Met Office Hadley Centre, explained: “Signs of this event appeared in forecasts from late January and last week we saw a dramatic rise in air temperature of around 50°C, known as a Sudden Stratospheric Warming, at around 30km above the North Pole.

"This warming results from a breakdown of the usual high-altitude westerly winds and it often leads to a switch in our weather: with cold easterly conditions more likely to dominate subsequent UK weather.”

These chilly conditions can be very dangerous for the elderly and infirm.

Dr Thomas Waite, of Public Health England’s Extreme Events team, said: “With the days feeling a little longer and lighter it can be easy to forget that cold weather can still kill.

“Over 65s, those with conditions like heart and lung diseases and young children, are all at particular risk in cold weather as their bodies struggle to cope when temperatures fall.

"So before it gets cold, check on friends, family and neighbours who may be at risk and make sure they’re heating homes to at least 18 degrees Celsius, see if they need any particular help or just someone to talk to and keep an eye on the Met Office’s forecasts and warnings.

"Remember- keeping warm will help keep you well.”