BRACE yourselves - more cold weather is on the way!Just as Suffolk was beginning to think spring was on its way, forecasters today warned not to be too hasty in packing away the scarves and gloves.

BRACE yourselves - more cold weather is on the way!

Just as Suffolk was beginning to think spring was on its way, forecasters today warned not to be too hasty in packing away the scarves and gloves. A cold spell, which may bring snow, is due to hit the county next week.

The shift in the weather will be caused by an anti-cyclone over Scandanavia, which will bring very cold easterly winds to the whole of East Anglia, according to weather expert Ken Blowers.

He claimed that temperatures will drop to 2C (36F) from Sunday but it will feel much colder due to wind chill.

Mr Blowers said: 'As next week progresses there is an increasing chance of snow and a light frost. The temperatures will be about 2C (36F).

'There will be south east to easterly winds and they will get up to 15mph/20mph which will make it feel colder.

'The last time East Anglia had really heavy snow was February 14/15 1979 when there was 14 inches of snow in Ipswich and the north easterly winds reached 40mph. That cold spell lasted from February 2 to February 22.

'This latest cold spell will start on Sunday and continue all week.'

Earlier this year Suffolk was gripped by a 17-day cold spell which saw heavy frost, chilly winds and even a touch of snow.

The forthcoming chilly spell is in stark contrast to south east Australia which is bracing itself for the worst heat wave of the century.

Temperatures this week went up to 45.5C (114F) in Adelaide, its hottest day in 70 years. Play at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne was also interrupted as temperatures reached 41C (106F), prompting organisers to enact their extreme heat policy for the first time.

In Victoria emergency services are on high alert and locals are being urged to prepare bush fire plans in case they need to flee.