As Waltham Abbey alongside with the rest of Essex prepare for the ‘Beast from the East’, the question has to be asked – what actually is it? The frigid weather is due to be swept in from over Russia, in the East, hence its name. Winds from Siberia have pushed in from the east, causing the mercury to plummet, with even daytime temperatures struggling to get above zero. These below freezing temperatures have caused mass amounts of snowfall across the UK and specifically in areas such as Kent and Essex. Hundreds of schools have been closed today, mainly for health and safety reasons or sometimes merely due to staff absences. Also, the Met Office have extended an amber weather warning for snow to large parts of the country due to a fresh wave of snow heading towards eastern and southern areas mainly. Travel services have been forced to shut, causing major travel disruptions on both the road, by train and even airports. Almost every flight has been cancelled or delayed which is obviously causing anger to those who had holiday plans, or even those who are waiting to go home.  

By George Carrig - Debden Park High School.