Beast from the East Causes Travel Disruptions in Europe

by Donald Wood
Last updated: 3:15 PM ET, Wed February 28, 2018

Travel in England and Ireland was disrupted Wednesday as snow from a Siberian weather pattern called the Beast from the East covered the region.

According to Reuters.com, up to 15 inches of snow fell on portions of the United Kingdom and temperatures dropped to around 10 degrees Fahrenheit, causing delays and cancellations on roads, railways and at airports.

"It is the coldest air we have seen over the U.K. at this time of the year since around 1991," meteorologist Becky Mitchell told Reuters. "It is all tied in with the Beast from the East."

In Ireland, the country's weather service issued a status red warning for several counties in the east, and Dublin Airport suspended runway operations as crews worked to clear away the snow.

Other airports impacted by the storm include Glasgow International, Heathrow, Edinburgh, London City and more, according to FlightAware.com. European airlines such as Ryanair, Flybe and British Airways have started waiving change fees for passengers traveling to or from impacted airports.

All flights to/from Dublin Airport have been cancelled for the remainder of the day, 28th Feb 2018. All affected customers will be notified of their options by email / SMS text message. pic.twitter.com/DaPqqRtKKY
- Ryanair (@Ryanair) February 28, 2018

Update Cork Airport: Due to continuing adverse weather conditions, some flights to/from Cork have been cancelled for tomorrow Thurs 1st March 2018. All affected customers have been notified of their options by email / SMS text message. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
- Ryanair (@Ryanair) February 28, 2018

Update Dublin Airport: Due to adverse weather conditions, some flights to/from Dublin have been cancelled for tomorrow Thurs 1st March 2018. All affected customers have been notified of their options by email / SMS text message. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
- Ryanair (@Ryanair) February 28, 2018

Guests booked to travel on flights from Wednesday 28th February to Friday 2nd March can postpone their travel to a later date, within 7 days of their original travel date, subject to availability. Full details at the link below. #BeastFromTheEast
- Aer Lingus (@AerLingus) February 28, 2018

Hi Kamilla, all flights from Dublin to London City Airport are cancelled tomorrow. Please go to Manage My Booking and pick and alternative flight. ^Marie
- British Airways (@British_Airways) February 28, 2018

The Beast from the East storm also brought a rare snowstorm to Rome Sunday into Monday that resulted in flight delays and cancellations. Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport in Rome operated with only one runway Sunday night.

Rome's second-largest airport, Ciampino-G. B. Pastine International, was also completely shut down due to the storm.

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