Rome woke to its first snowfall in six years yesterday as chilling winds from Siberia swept across Europe, bringing freezing temperatures that have claimed at least four lives, closed schools and disrupted travel.

The "Beast from the East", as the phenomenon has been dubbed by the British media, is expected to bring cold air from Russia over the next few days that will make it feel even chillier than thermometers indicate.

Rome saw its first snowfall since February 2012, with about 3cm to 4cm of snow settling on the ground on Sunday.

It was zero degree Celsius in Rome yesterday morning, with a low of minus-six degree Celsius forecast until tomorrow - but no more snow is forecast.