L6 - Beast from the East

• a prolonged and exceptionally cold period of weather began on february 25th 2018 which was nicknamed 'Beast from the east'
• under normal circumstances, winters in the UK are mild compared to some places on the same latitude because of the jet stream which is a warm air mass that travels across the atlantic ocean o
• a meteorological event called stratospheric warming disturbed the jet stream which allowed cold winds from russia to travel to Great britain
• by the time the air reached the UK it was just below freezing and it picked up water over the north sea which resulted in heavy snowfall when it reached the UK
• response of met office

  • issued a red warning to devon, sommerset and south wales
  • warned of freezing rain
  • regular updates issued
• response by emergency services

  • cleared snow to rescue hundreds of drivers and asked them to heed warnings
  • issued warnings to avoid drinking alcohol and check on elderly neighbours
• response from environmental agency

  • flood warnings were issued for coastal areas in cornwall due to storm surges and tides higher than predicted
• local responses

  • offered beds to stranded motorists
  • 4x4 drivers helped NHS staff get to work
  • local farmers cleared roads with tractors to help emergency services
• armed forces response

  • soldiers deployed to help hospital staff
  • transported doctors and stranded patients
• social impacts:

  • 10 people died
  • thousands of schools closed across the UK
  • hospital operations were cancelled
  • thousands of flights were stranded
• economic impacts:

  • cost the economy 1 billion a day
  • construction industry lost 2 billion over the 3 days
  • businesses had to close
• environmental impacts:

  • up to 50 cms of snow fell on the ground
  • temperatures dropped to as low as -12 degrees
  • winds of 70 mph created deep snow drifts