Parts of Britain are facing fresh snow flurries today but forecasters said it would be nothing like the Arctic weather seen earlier this month.

Up to 5cm could settle over the Welsh hills by the afternoon, said MeteoGroup, the weather division of the Press Association, with lesser amounts falling over higher areas of the West Midlands and central southern England.

Paul Mott, from MeteoGroup, said: "It doesn't look like a major snow event. Anything that falls over lower levels will be very slushy and won't last long at all."

The snow is being caused by cold air from the continent meeting a frontal system coming in from the Atlantic.

Affected areas will not shiver in the sub-zero conditions experienced last week and the week before, with maximum temperatures reaching about 3C (37C) today.

The wintry weather is expected to move away tonight, with another front arriving from the Atlantic tomorrow evening and bringing wind, heavy rain, and sleet over the hills.

Britain was hit by some of the heaviest snowfall for decades during the freezing weather two weeks ago, causing days of severe transport and school disruption across the country.

Transport Secretary Lord Adonis yesterday briefed the regular weekly meeting of the Cabinet on the preparations for another possible bout of snowy weather.

Ministers were told the Government remained "vigilant" and that stocks of salt for gritting were rising after being depleted during the earlier cold spell.

The first supplies of gritting salt ordered from the US and Spain are due to arrive in the UK today, and the relaxation of lorry drivers' permitted working hours introduced to keep supplies flowing earlier in the month has been extended for a further seven days.