
Warnings that Britain would be thrown into travel chaos by the 'Beast from the East' cold snap this evening have been mocked by commuters on social media insisting train firms and authorities overreacted to forecasts.

A yellow warning has been put in place for vast swathes of the UK as meteorologists said the country could be hit by the worst cold weather since 1991.

Up to 6in of snow is expected to blanket the South East, Midlands and North East tomorrow morning, while 8in could fall on Wednesday.

Earlier today, hundreds of thousands of commuters in the South East travelling home from London were told to complete their journeys by 6pm to ensure they get home, while Kent County Council said a snow emergency has been declared.

But despite hundreds of trains being cancelled - alongside dozens of flights - many people took to social media to ask what all the fuss was about.

One woman wrote: 'Pleased to report the predicted Armageddon if you dared travel after 6pm didn't happen #Southeastern #gotmyusualtrain.'

Photographs taken in London's busiest stations also appeared to show a normal number of commuters waiting for trains.

Another commuter, writing from Manchester, wrote: 'I walked to work in a t-shirt and jacket today, so much for #TheBeastFromTheEast'.

A woman writing earlier this evening said the reaction to the cold was 'so ridiculous', adding: 'Normal winter weather. Not such a dramarama.'

A man on Twitter also attacked Kent County Council for spreading 'hype and panic', explaining: 'Haven’t seen the severe weather anywhere today traveling around'.

South Eastern chose 6pm as the cut-off time based on the forecast it has been given by meteorologists, and it is asking passengers to travel earlier 'to avoid being disrupted too much' before the snow becomes heavier. Pictured: Commuters in Victoria before the 6pm cut-off

Passengers at Charring Cross station in central London await their trains after earlier being warned to travel before 6pm because of severe weather

The Met Office has imposed yellow and amber weather warnings for today (left), tomorrow (centre) and Wednesday (right)

Brave people go punting on the River Cam in Cambridge in a blizzard this afternoon as the 'Beast from the East' arrives

The Ministry of Defence has three battalions on standby to respond to weather-related emergencies. A spokesman said: 'We have the right people, with the right training and the right equipment to help deal with any contingency.' Pictured: A warning at Victoria Station

One woman wrote: 'Pleased to report the predicted Armageddon if you dared travel after 6pm didn't happen #Southeastern #gotmyusualtrain'

Another commuter, writing from Manchester, wrote: 'I walked to work in a t-shirt and jacket today, so much for #TheBeastFromTheEast'

A woman writing earlier this evening said the reaction to the cold was 'so ridiculous', adding: 'Normal winter weather. Not such a dramarama'

Despite hundreds of trains being cancelled - alongside dozens of flights - many people took to social media to ask what all the fuss was about

Up to 6in of snow is expected to blanket the South East, Midlands and North East tomorrow morning, while 8in could fall on Wednesday. But many people on social media mocked the weather warnings

One man took to Twitter to blast the mentality of 'non-stop warnings' compared with the 'pre-social media' attitude of using a shovel to clear snow

A man on Twitter also attacked Kent County Council for spreading 'hype and panic', explaining: 'Haven’t seen the severe weather anywhere today traveling around'

Earlier today, British Airways cancelled over 60 short haul flights either departing or arriving from London Heathrow because of the severe weather.

Supermarket shoppers, meanwhile, were reporting huge queues amid claims of panic buying over fears of widespread travel chaos in the UK as forecasters warn the country could see its coldest weather in 27 years.

Bitterly cold temperatures of as low as -12C (10F) are expected to cause power cuts and hit mobile phone networks while parts of the country are set to be buried in snow.

Met Office forecaster Frank Saunders said: 'Parts of England and Wales are likely to see their coldest spell of weather since at least 2013, and possibly since 1991. This could lead to dangerous conditions on roads and pavements and have an impact on people's health.'

Up to eight inches of snow will hit eastern England by Wednesday, forecasters say, as the 'Beast from the East' sweeps in from Russia and health officials warn the elderly and children to ensure they stay warm.

South Eastern chose 6pm as the cut-off time based on the forecast it has been given by meteorologists, and it is asking passengers to travel earlier 'to avoid being disrupted too much' before the snow becomes heavier.

And the weather could become even more extreme later this week as Storm Emma, which is forecast to hit Portugal on Wednesday, could potentially bring strong winds and further heavy snow to the UK on Thursday and Friday.

Whiteout on Newcastle's Quayside last night as snow falls heavily to mark the arrival of the Beast from the East cold snap from Russia

Bitterly cold temperatures of as low as -12C (10F) are expected to cause power cuts and hit mobile phone networks while parts of the country are set to be buried in snow. Pictured: Traffic in North London tonight

Kent County Council Highways said a snow emergency has been declared due to the severe weather conditions. In London, meanwhile, commuters are hoping to get home before the severe weather causes further disruption. Pictured: London Liverpool Street tonight

The weather could become even more extreme later this week as Storm Emma, named by the Portuguese meteorological service, could bring strong winds and further heavy snow to parts of the UK on Thursday and Friday

Hundreds of thousands commuters in the South East travelling home from London to Kent and Sussex were told to complete their journeys by 6pm tonight, before the worst of the snow hits and potentially disrupts trains. Pictured: Passengers at London Liverpool Street attempting to get home tonight

Commuters walking in the snow on London Bridge today, as some parts of the UK are set to feel colder than the Arctic Circle

Commuters inside Waterloo Railway Station in London, as they make their way home during the evening rush hour, ahead of warnings they should travel before 6pm

A frozen waterfall in the Peak District, Derbyshire, after cold temperatures hit the country with the arrival of the 'Beast from the East'

Commuters face a miserable journey to and from work as the snow falls in freezing temperatures in Pimlico, Central London

A flurry of snow falls over trains passing through Clapham Junction railway station in South West London this morning

Shoppers at a rammed Tesco store in Gillingham, Kent, this morning, as customers claim panic buying is setting in

Queues are building at the supermarket in Gillingham as customers start to bulk buy amid fears over the 'Beast from the East'

Commuters walk across London Bridge in the snow this morning as the capital is hit by severe weather

Traffic is seen as snow flurries begin to settle today in Oxshott, Surrey, ahead of up to eight inches falling in areas this week

Commuters cross Millennium Bridge in London in the snow this morning as much of the UK faces flurries this week

This graphic shows how the 'Beast from the East' is sweeping in from Russia, with cold air being drawn in from the Eurasian landmass that is bringing sub-zero temperatures and snow to Britain and many other countries in mainland Europe

Earlier this afternoon, commuters were complaining of South Eastern's website being down - with one traveller complaining to the firm: 'Your website can't cope with demand, just like the rest of your service.'

BA is offering passengers booked on short haul flights between Monday and Friday the chance to re-book for travel on a later date up to March 21 free of charge.

Freak WARMING in the Arctic is to blame for the big chill in Europe The 'Beast from the East' is a nickname given to cold and wintry conditions in Britain that are brought by easterly winds from the near continent. The UK normally experiences a polar continental air mass when pressure is high over Scandinavia. In winter cold air is drawn in from the Eurasian landmass, bringing the cold weather from the 'Beast from the East'. The length of sea track during the air’s passage from Europe to Britain will determine its characteristics. A short sea track over the English Channel will bring clear skies and severe frost, plus the cold and dry air. But a longer track over the North Sea makes the air unstable and moisture is added - maybe bringing rain and snow. The lowest temperatures in Britain normally happen in this air mass, falling to below -10C (14F) at night and sometimes remaining sub-zero all day. Surface temperatures below freezing will make any snow drier because it contains less water. But wet snow comes from slightly warmer and moist air, which joins snowflakes together. Over winter, a blob of cold air spins over the Arctic high in the stratosphere. If this spins slower, the air rushes back inwards and often sinks through the atmosphere - becoming warmer and even spinning in the opposite way. This can reverse our jet stream - and, in time, mild westerly winds become cold easterlies from Siberia - increasing the chance of snow in Britain. The Arctic is experiencing one of its hottest winters on record, with temperatures at the North Pole surging. These unusual conditions, which scientists say have 'never been this extreme', are causing a disruption to the Arctic polar jet stream. The jet stream carries winds east to west across the planet, at speeds of up to 200mph in the upper atmosphere. Warmer air in the Arctic has sent them off their usual course, blasting cold air over Europe - something likely to happen more often thanks to man-made global warming, researchers say. On the northern tip of Greenland, the Cape Morris Jesup meteorological site has had a record-smashing 61 hours of temperatures above freezing in 2018. This is linked to a rare retreat of sea ice in the Arctic winter darkness. Warmth was coming into the Arctic both up from the Atlantic and through the Bering Strait, driving cold air south. Around the entire Arctic region, temperatures are now about 20C (36F) above normal, at -8C (17.6F). Advertisement

A spokesman for the carrier said: 'We are sorry that the weather this week is likely to lead to some delays and disruption to our schedules. It is likely at times we will have to proactively cancel some services and re-book customers on to alternative flights.

'Customers on cancelled services can also claim a full refund if they no longer wish to travel.'

Airports in Rome, Stockholm and Bergen were among those to suffer significant disruption to departures as Europe is hit by a blast of Siberian weather.

Ryanair cancelled almost 50 flights departing or arriving from the Italian capital, including some serving the UK.

But EasyJet said its UK flight schedule was unaffected by the weather.

More than 70 flights travelling to or from the Canary Islands were disrupted when the region was hit by strong winds and rain on Sunday.

Passengers were forced to spend the night at the airport waiting for flights.

At a Tesco Extra branch in Gillingham, Kent, meanwhile, one customer took pictures of a 35-minute-long queue in the shop as she tried to pay for a box of porridge and told how shelves had been cleared of bread and other essentials.

Healthcare assistant Charlotte Day, 24, of Medway, Kent, popped in with her 11-month-old son Mayce to the packed store and claimed customers were barging past each other to fill their trolleys up with the essentials.

Ms Day said: 'The snow started to come down a bit heavier and then all these people piled in. Shoppers were walking around with a panicked look on their faces. Some people had six or seven loaves in their basket.

'People were pushing around, they weren't being polite about it. I went to grab the last loaf and someone who already had six in their trolley took it, the shelves were empty. I just couldn't believe how busy it was.'

Kent County Council Highways said a snow emergency has been declared due to the severe weather conditions.

'All of our resources will be focused on keeping the highways salted, clear and safe,' a spokeswoman said.

'We will be treating all primary routes throughout each day but we do not clear footpaths or side roads.

'Salt bins are provided at key locations for you to use to clear the roads where it is safe to do so.

'We would ask that you only call us in an emergency and report non-urgent issues on our reporting tool. Please be aware that it may take us longer than usual to deal with non-emergency issues'.

Some Londoners, however, were disappointed today as they posted pictures of snow-free street, with one saying: 'This is the most disappointing snow-apocalypse ever. The dusting we got melted in an hour.'

Severe weather warnings have been in place since 4pm today and for the rest of the week, with a yellow alert – meaning 'be aware' – predicting widespread snow showers across nearly the whole country tomorrow and on Wednesday.

The Met Office has also issued an amber warning – meaning 'be prepared', and one below the highest red alert – for some regions, including London, the South East and the Midlands, for the next two days.

The Ministry of Defence has three battalions on standby to respond to weather-related emergencies. A spokesman said: 'We have the right people, with the right training and the right equipment to help deal with any contingency.'

The Met Office website appeared to have been creaking under the strain of internet users rushing to it for updates this morning, with a section usually reserved for forecast maps simply stating: 'Error accessing map data.'

The AA said calls to its breakdown lines are up 50 per cent today compared to usual levels, and workers are preparing for an increase at peak times in the North East and East of England.

It comes as:

Some parts of the country are set to feel colder than the Arctic Circle as freezing temperatures continue;

Doctors have warned that the NHS could struggle to cope with the extra strain caused by the weather;

By the middle of the week, the majority of Britain is being warned of delays on the roads, trains and in the air;

Lows recorded over the weekend marked the lowest temperature in the week leading up to spring since 1986.

Tomorrow will bring persistent snow as the weather worsens, turning into the coldest start to March for more than 30 years, after temperatures of just -9.2C (15F) were recorded in Scotland over the weekend.

Social media users have posted claims about panic buying at stores across Britain today following news of the bad weather

A blizzard of snow has hit Leicester, as the country is blasted by air from Siberia nicknamed the 'Beast from the East'

Commuters on the Strand in London (left), and a woman braves the very chilly water of the Serpentine in Hyde Park (right)

Extreme cold weather freezes a waterfall in the Brecon Beacons as 'Beast from the East' is unleashed in Britain The cold weather has been so severe in the Brecon Beacons that an entire waterfall has been frozen solid today. Walkers in the Welsh national park looked on in fascination as the waterfall near Pen Y Fan mountain was turned into ice amid the cold snap. Temperatures of minus 5C (23F) in parts of Britain over the weekend were the lowest recorded in the week leading up to March 1 - the first day of spring - since 1986. The wind chill, which could see parts of the UK feeling as cold as minus 15C (5F), rivals the temperatures forecast for parts of northern Norway and Iceland. Icicles formed on a frozen waterfall near Pen y Fan mountain on Brecon Beacon National Park, Wales, amid the severe cold weather The entire waterfall was frozen after the cold snap - called the 'Beast from the East' - hit the UK and sent temperatures plummeting A close-up showing the ice at the waterfall near Pen Y Fan mountain in the Brecon Beacons National Park today Walkers look on at the static waterfall and take photographs after cold weather froze the water overnight and created the odd sight Temperatures of minus 5C (23F) in parts of Britain over the weekend were the lowest recorded in the week leading up to March 1 - the first day of spring - since 1986. Pictured: Icicles form from dripping water on moorland near the Beacons Reservoir on Brecon Beacon National Park The wind chill, which could see parts of the UK feeling as cold as minus 15C (5F), rivals the temperatures forecast for parts of northern Norway and Iceland. Pictured: A walker stands by the frozen waterfall near Pen Y Fan Advertisement

Signs on the M25 warn of severe weather as snow falls on the motorway in Essex today with more disruption possible

Commuters head to work in the snow and freezing temperatures on the Strand in Central London this morning

Forecasters said there could be blizzards with winds of up to 45mph on Wednesday, with the prospect of rail, road and air disruption as well as the risk of power cuts as snow and ice bring down electricity lines. Mobile phone masts could also be put out of operation and some rural communities could be left cut off. Emergency services and transport authorities are already making preparations to minimise the consequences of the freezing weather, with councils sending out gritting teams to treat thousands of miles of roads. Charlie Powell from the Met Office said: 'The UK is on track for some really cold weather. It's not going to be record breaking, but it'll be pretty exceptional - winds are going to make it feel -10C (14F) to -15C (5F) during the day. 'Winds are going to strengthen and we could see some easterly gales through the eastern Channel and East Anglia by the middle of the week. That's going to make it feel really cold.

'Daytime temperatures on Wednesday and Thursday will be struggling to get above freezing. By Thursday evening, there are growing signs there could be some significant snowfall across southern England.

'Unusually for Britain, the snow is going to be quite dry, so it will blow around and gather in drifts and we could see some blizzard conditions. We don't want to scare people, but people should make sure they are prepared.'

All Greater Anglia trains will stop by 10pm tonight with a reduced service running on its routes during the day between tomorrow and Thursday. The operator said it was limiting its services in anticipation of the snowy blast.

A woman walks dogs in the snow at Beckenham Place park in South London today in the wintry conditions

Commuters walk in the snow on London Bridge today as some parts of the UK are set to feel colder than the Arctic Circle

Blakeney Quay on the North Norfolk coast is covered in snow today as the Met Office issues a series of weather warnings

Members of the 1st Battalion Irish Guards are almost hidden in a snow shower at Buckingham Palace in London today

A woman walks through the snow in South London today as cold weather bears down on the capital

A double-decker bus from Woolwich to Elmers End works its way through the snowy streets of South East London

A police officer gets caught in a snow shower at Buckingham Palace in London today as the severe weather sweeps in

A woman walks through the snow flurries around London Bridge train station today

c2c services will operate normally until 9pm tonight and passengers have been warned to expect alterations and cancellations.

South Eastern urged passengers to finish their journeys before 6pm to avoid potential disruption.

One Twitter user joked that Greater Anglia was already cancelling trains 'in the hope that there will be some snow', while another told the South Eastern customer services team: 'Bet you can't wait to start cancelling trains.'

Transport for London warned passengers in the capital to check ahead of their journeys as disruptions were possible on Underground and Overground services due to the low temperatures forecast.

By the end of Wednesday, more than 8in (20cm) of snow may have accumulated in parts of eastern England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The Met Office also warned power cuts may occur in some areas.

The unusually bitter weather is the result of a cold front, dubbed the 'Beast from the East', sweeping in from the Eurasian Arctic.

Health officials and the NHS have warned of the risks as temperatures plummet.

Dr Thomas Waite, of Public Health England, said: 'Cold temperatures, indoors and out, pose real health risks to many and every winter we know that thousands of people get ill and even die following exposure to cold conditions.

Stock up on food and check on neighbours, health officials say Public Health England has issued a series of top tips for preparing for the cold weather as follows, including advice on stocking up on food and medicine before the blizzards blow in: Look out for friends and family who may be vulnerable to the cold and ensure they have access to warm food and drinks and are managing to heat their homes adequately

Try to maintain indoor temperatures to at least 18C (64F), particularly if you are not mobile, have long term illness or are 65 or over

Stay tuned for weather forecasts, ensure you are stocked with food and medications in advance, have deliveries or ask a friend to help

Take weather into account when planning your activity over the following days

Seek entitlements and benefits such as Winter Fuel Payments and Cold Weather Payments, which are available to some

Avoid exposing yourself to cold or icy outdoor conditions if you are at a higher risk of cold related illness or falls.

Discuss with friends and neighbours about clearing snow and ice from in front of your house and public walkways nearby Advertisement

'It's critical that if you know anyone over 65, with young children or who has heart or lung conditions, that you keep an eye on them and think what help they may need.'

He said that staying warm by heating homes to at least 18C (65F) can be 'crucial to staying well'. Senior medics have also warned the 'Beast from the East' may put additional strain on an already 'grave' situation in the NHS.

The Society for Acute Medicine, which represents hospital specialists in acute medicine, said it had 'great concern' for the NHS in the week ahead as snowy conditions grip the country.

Dr Nick Scriven, president of the society, said: 'The onset of a spell of extremely cold weather is of great concern for acute medical units who are already struggling with the widely reported stresses of this winter.

'Daily temperatures below the normal ambient level increase illness and hospital admission rates for cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses, particularly among those aged 65 and over.'

The NHS may also have to cancel thousands more non-urgent operations to cope with the severe cold weather, senior medics have warned.

With the number of occupied beds close to full capacity the NHS faces a ‘grave’ situation, the Society for Acute Medicine said yesterday.

The organisation said it had ‘great concern’ for the health service in the week ahead.

Dr Nick Scriven, president of the society which represents hospital doctors and nurses in acute medicine, said the ban on elective surgery at NHS trusts in January could return.

‘It takes the pressure off local trusts. The onset of a spell of extremely cold weather is of great concern for acute medical units who are already struggling with the widely reported stresses of this winter,’ he said. ‘Daily temperatures below the normal ambient level increase illness and hospital admission rates for cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses, particularly among those aged 65 and over.’

Dr Scriven added that the NHS was suffering from ‘dangerously high bed occupancy rates’ – 95 per cent according to figures last week – ‘so the situation is grave… it could bring staffing of the NHS to its knees’.

Jeremy Hunt has admitted this year is the ‘worst ever’ winter crisis for the NHS.

Public Health England urged people to ‘help others’ and ‘remember that staying warm helps keep you healthy’. Critics likened the advice to saying ‘don’t wear flip flops in the snow’.

The government watchdog, funded to the tune of £3.4billion, said the comments help people ‘think about what activities are appropriate’.

The warning states: ‘With many places facing severe weather it’s really important people do what they need to, to stay warm. Heating homes to at least 18C will help keep you healthy.

‘Also, make sure you eat warm food, move about at home and wear several thin layers instead of fewer thicker ones. If you know anyone over 65, or with young children or with heart or lung conditions, check to see if they’re OK.’

Chris Snowdon, of the Institute of Economic Affairs, said: ‘Public Health England’s winter advice to turn on the heating and eat hot dinners is of a piece with its summer advice to open a window and drink water.

‘It is a miracle this hectoring quango has made it through the austerity era unscathed … it badly needs cutting down to size.’

Chloe Westley, of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: ‘Thank goodness for bureaucrats at Public Health England, otherwise we’d all be eating ice cream and walking around in flip flops in the snow.’

She added that money spent on such information campaigns could be better use on frontline healthcare.

PHE’s Dr Thomas Waite admitted the advice was largely ‘common sense’, but added: ‘It’s always worth making the point as there are many people … who will feel the effects of cold weather very much more acutely than others.’

Now even the SEA is freezing! Temperatures have dropped so far that water is turning to ice in Somerset These stunning pictures show how Britain's plunging temperatures have caused a part of the sea to freeze today. Photographs show the shoreline waters of the Bristol Channel at Weston-super-Mare in Somerset freezing over as the Beast from the East moved in. Ian Heard, 48, who took the images, said: 'I was out walking along the seafront with my partner Calin and we could see a long white line at the high water line. Sea water is turned to ice in the low temperatures at Weston-Super-Mare in Somerset today Ian Heard, 48, who took the images, said he was out walking with his partner when they saw a long white line at the high water line Ocean water freezes just like fresh water would at 0C, but the temperature must drop to -2C before it starts to happen due to the salt in it 'We were amazed to discover that there was a long swathe of ice crystals built up on the sand where the tide had come in overnight and frozen. Now we are just waiting for the snow.' Ocean water freezes just like fresh water would at 0C (32F), but the temperature must drop to -2C (28F) before it starts to happen due to the salt in it. Sea water becomes progressively more dense as it becomes colder, right down to its freezing point, while the ice in frozen seawater contains very little salt because only the water section of it freezes. It is unusual for parts of the sea to freeze on the English coast even in the depths of winter, although it did happen in 2009 when sub-zero temperatures froze a half-mile stretch of sea off Sandbanks in Dorset. The sea also froze over at Herne Bay, Kent, in December 1962, during one of the coldest winters on record in Britain. It is unusual for parts of the sea to freeze on the English coast even in the depths of winter, but it happened today in Somerset A dog plays in the sea water at Weston-super-Mare today which has been turned to ice by the low temperatures The cold weather appears to have frozen the sea on the beach at the Somerset resort of Weston Super Mare today Advertisement

Workers wait for a bus in the snow outside Turnpike Lane Underground station in North London this morning

A woman makes her way to work as the snow falls in Woodford, North East London, this morning

People walk through the snow this morning as 'The Beast From The East' hits the capital

Snow covered sheep stand in a field near Pickering in the North Yorkshire Moors as the 'Beast from the East' arrives today

Isaac, five, and Yasmin Attwood, seven, walk in the snow on their way to school in North East London this morning

A woman braves the cold weather this morning as she walks over Millennium Bridge in London in the snow (left)

'Last week's performance figures showed an 11 per cent rise on the previous week in influenza admissions, along with sustained dangerously high bed occupancy rates, so the situation is grave.'

Drawing on figures from NHS Improvement, which showed a large deficit and high job vacancy rates in the health service, he added: 'There is little on the horizon in the way of optimism for the future state of the acute services given the massive staffing issues and strain on resources made evident this last week.

'So far this winter we have seen the NHS survive on the goodwill and effort of hard-pressed staff of all levels who have gone the extra mile to ensure safe and high-quality treatment in the most difficult of circumstances.

'However, the challenges keep increasing and this week is another example of how the authorities simply cannot gamble on hard-working staff saving the day - it is not sustainable or fair and will be the downfall of our health service.'

The W4 bus from Wood Green to Tottenham Hale in North London is driven along a snowy street this morning

A woman walks to work in Woodford, North East London, today as the snow falls across the capital

Snow settles on the rooftops of Lincoln with the city's cathedral pictured in the background this morning

An armed police officer wraps up warm against the elements as snow falls at Downing Street in Westminster this morning

Clouds over Cobham in Surrey could be seen to resemble a 'Beast from the East' approaching as the sun rises this morning

South Eastern has urged train passengers to finish their journeys home before 6pm to avoid potential disruption

Ella Colley, winter expert at Halfords, said: 'With sub-zero temperatures expected for the start of the week, and snow and ice forecast for most areas, we're advising drivers to check their car batteries.

'Using your car's heater, and lights will place greater demand on your battery, and this combined with sub-zero temperatures could result in a less than positive start to Monday morning.

'It's also worth preparing your car with a quick health check by checking screen wash, tyre pressure and keeping extra clothes, warm drinks and your mobile phone handy.'

Some experts predict that the freezing temperatures could last well into March. Meteorological spring begins on Thursday.

How the 'Beast from the East' has left four dead across Europe and even Russia is 'abnormally cold' this week The wintry blast of freezing temperatures has already claimed four lives across Europe and is endangering the homeless. In France, where temperatures were forecast to drop to -10C (14F), fears ran high for people living on the streets. A homeless man in Valence was found dead yesterday, and another man was found dead in his cabin in Paris on Friday. Russia itself was not spared, with its meteorological service warning of 'abnormally cold' temperatures until Wednesday and temperatures in the Moscow region expected to fall to -24C (-11F), and -35C (-31F) in the centre of the country. Piazza del Popolo (The People's Square) in Rome, Italy, is seen covered in snow this morning as Europe is hit by bad weather A young priest throws a snow ball during a heavy snowfall at Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican this morning Two people died of the cold in Poland on Friday night, and frigid temperatures are also forecast throughout Germany, with a low of -22C (-8F) in some Alpine valleys in Bavaria today. Heavy snow in the north Italian city of Turin caused a Serie A football game between Juventus and Atalanta to be postponed yesterday. Schools will be closed today due to the snow in Rome, with -6C (21F) forecast last night. In Austria, temperatures will drop below -20C (4F) at night and feel even colder. 'It will feel like -30,' Stefan Kiesenhofer of the Austrian meteorological service ZAMG said. A cold snap like this 'comes every seven to 10 years,' he added. Hungary has been on alert since Saturday, while heavy snow closed some schools in Croatia on Saturday.Schools were also closed in Romania's capital Bucharest, as well as three areas in the country's south, amid lows of -20C (-4F). Heavy snow in the north Italian city of Turin caused a Serie A football game between Juventus and Atalanta to be postponed yesterday Cross country skiers are pictured yesterday on their way on a snow-covered meadow in Winterberg, Germany Spain's weather agency warned of 'significant snowfall' on the Iberian Peninsula and the Balearic Islands. But a brave few did take advantage of the Siberian chill, with some adventurous Dutch ice skaters taking to the country's canals and lakes. Dutch authorities have strongly discouraged skating on natural bodies of water, but said conditions may be more favourable after a few chilly days in the north of the country for those keen to emulate their Winter Olympians. The freezing temperature also did not prevent a few hundred swimmers jumping into the Meuse river, which was 3C (37F) while it was -2C (28F) outside, in Huy, Belgium, yesterday. But below average temperatures are not forecast everywhere. Many areas across Europe could be colder than the North Pole this week, with the temperature at Cape Morris Jesup weather station at the top of Greenland having risen above freezing several times since mid-February. Advertisement

'Casually waiting for the #BeastfromtheEast to arrive': Britain battens down the hatches as the UK is braced for snow chaos to hit TODAY

Snow has hit Britain along with sub-zero temperatures today, leaving many workers shivering on their way to work and in the office.

Some parts of the UK are set to feel colder than the Arctic Circle as freezing temperatures brought by the 'Beast from the East' continue into the week ahead.

Train services are expected to be delayed, and the Met Office has issued amber weather warnings for much of the country tomorrow and on Wednesday.

But Twitter users have poked fun at the cold weather, referencing films including Frozen and Groundhog Day and TV series such as Friends and The Simpsons.

Others posted videos of cold-looking cats while people did their best to make light of the temperatures which could feel as cold as -15C (5F) in some parts of Britain.

Some internet jokers also told of how it reminded them of the American wrestler Bam Bam Bigelow, who was once billed as the 'Beast of the East'.

Others decided to mock the reaction in the country to the cold weather, with jokes including a photograph of a man hoarding supplies titled 'Just seen a snowflake'.