CHILDREN across Herefordshire may be gearing up to return to the classroom next week as coronavirus lockdown restrictions start to be relaxed.
But three years ago, in 2018, they were sent home from the classroom for altogether different reasons, as the 'Beast from the East' brought heavy snow to the country.
Freezing air from Russia gripped the UK in what was the coldest late February in years.
Hereford Cathedral
The frozen Wye. Karen Friedman
Schools and roads were closed after Hereford's streets disappeared under a blanket of snow on, while drifts as tall as a person built on rural roads.
High drifts near Bromyard
Snow drifts at Ocle Pychard. Phil Evans
The cold snap continued into March, with Storm Emma hitting on March 2 and 3 and bringing more chaos to the county.
Igloo. Pierre Oosthuizen
Building snowmen in Bladon Crescent
Michaelchurch Primary deputy head Gary Crocker dons his skis
Children across Herefordshire were out and about building snowmen and igloos, while some dusted off their skis to take advantage of the freezing conditions.
Empty shelves at Tesco, Bewell St
But in scenes not unlike those seen in March last year as coronavirus took hold in the UK, some supermarket shelves were stripped by panic-buying as deliveries struggled to get through by road, and rail services were suspended.
Eileen Williams-Sweet battles to get to her elderly dad
Vulnerable people were also hit hard, with carers unable to make their home visits. One Llanstephan woman, Elaine Williams-Sweet, was pictured battling through the snow to get to her elderly father's house after his carers were unable to make it.
But this year, things are very different, with chilly but relatively mild conditions and sunny spells.
There will be clear spells for many this evening before cloud thickens overnight and further fog forms, with a risk of frost.
Wednesday will be cloudy with outbreaks of rain south of the region spreading north and potentially turning heavy at times.
It will remain largely cloudy on Thursday with some rain at times. Turning dry with sunny spells on Friday and Saturday. Turning colder with an increased risk of frosts throughout.
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