Beast from the East

• What caused the Beast from the East in 2018?

  A stratospheric warming event disturbed the jet stream, pulling freezing air from Russia to the UK
• What were the social effects of the Beast from the East?

  • 10 deaths

  • Hundreds of schools closed

  • 13-hour traffic standstills on M80

  • 1,000+ vehicles stranded
• What were the economic effects of Beast from the East?

  • Rail and flights cancelled

  • Gas deficit warning from National Grid
• What were the environmental effects of Beast from the East?

  • 50 cm of snow

  • Rural areas at -12°C

  • Gusts of 60–70 mph damaged buildings
• What were the responses to the Beast from the East?

  • Red weather warnings

  • Flood alerts

  • RAF helped in snow-hit areas

  • Military assisted on M62

  • Soldiers transported NHS staff in Edinburgh