THE ‘Beast from the East’ was a pest for the west as thousands of children were forced to miss school due to heavy snow.

Well over 20 schools and colleges across Dwyfor and Meirionnydd closed their doors this week as temperatures plummeted and snow levels rose.

The freezing conditions are expected to last throughout the week with very cold air from Russia crossing the UK while the easterly winds will also result in significant wind chill making it feel several degrees colder than thermometers show.

A ‘yellow warning’ from the Met Office is in place across Wales for much of the week.

A spokesperson for the weather agency said: “Snow showers or longer periods of snow are expected, accompanied by very low temperatures.

“There is the potential for travel delays on roads, with some stranded vehicles and passengers, as well as delays or cancellations to rail and air travel.

“Some rural communities could become cut off. Power cuts may also occur and other services, such as mobile phones, may be affected.”