Freezing temperatures and snowy conditions are set for west London and it could disrupt more than just our roads and rails.

The cold spell, also known as "Beast from the East" , is expected to arrive on Monday (February 26) bringing -4 °C temperatures which could have a negative effect on our mobile phones.

Apple's Support website states that using an iOS device in below-freezing temperatures might temporarily shorten battery life and could cause the device to turn off.

While this may seem odd, most electronics manufacturers warn that their devices might behave unusually if they're taken into extreme cold or heat.

Apple's website states: "Low- or high-temperature conditions might cause the device to change its behavior to regulate its temperature.

"Use iOS devices where the ambient temperature is between 0º and 35º C (32º to 95º F)."

The reason why phones can die in the cold is because the rechargeable lithium-ion batteries inside iPhones contain an electrolyte liquid that crystallises when it drops below a certain temperature, reports The Mirror .

This prevents electricity from flowing through the battery, which can stop the phone from working altogether.

When will the snow arrive in London?

The Met Office has issued a yellow warning of snow for London from 2pm on Monday afternoon (February 26) to 11.55pm on Wednesday (February 28).

There will be widespread sharp evening frosts over the coming days bringing a minimum temperature of -4 °C.

Public Health England (PHE) has also issued a warning about the health risks posed by freezing temperatures.

According to PHE children and people over 65 are particularly at risk in the cold.

Are only iPhones affected?

Tech website pcworld.com said smartphone manufacturers don't recommend that their devices be used in cold weather while others guarantee smooth functioning even in temperatures as low as 4 degrees below zero.

HTC and Nokia do not mention operating temperature guidelines in user manuals or on their websites.

Samsung, on the other hand, guarantees its phones to function in temperatures between -4 degrees and 122 degrees.

What can you do:

The effect is only temporary.

Apple says battery life will return to normal once you bring the device back to a higher ambient temperature - between 0º and 35º C.

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