A WEATHER war has broken out between a university expert and the Evening News's own forecaster over whether Worcestershire needs to brace itself for the coldest February for 15 years.

John Kings, a meteorologist from Birmingham University, said snowfall would break over the county from today - but Evening News weatherman Paul Damari pooh-poohed the idea that temperatures were about to plummet.

And it looks like our man may be right - this morning, the temperature was 6C or 43F, expected to rise to 12C or 54F, there was no evidence of rain and there was a gentle breeze.

"I think it is a very foolish forecast to make," said Mr Damari.

"I presume we are likely to see weather very like what we have had over the past month - milder than average, with temperatures around 50 to 54F, or 10 to 12C.

"There might be a dip at the weekend, but it will be to the expected average - it might feel colder because it has been so mild recently."

He also expected little or no snow during the month ahead, and rainfall to be below average as well.

It has been the warmest January for 15 years, with an average temperature of 6C (43F) across the country. There have only been six warmer Januarys in the last 100 years.

The wildly differing forecasts come as scientists from around the world gather in Exeter to discuss the dangers of global warming.

It is believed the effect of greenhouse gases on the Earth's temperature will lead to hotter summers and colder winters in the UK.

The majority of scientific experts also believe global warming will lead to freak weather conditions like floods and droughts, as well as destroy sensitive wildlife habitats.