Looking back to the 'Beast from the East' in March 2018

The following day (March 1) after major warnings about snow set to hit, Somerset awoke to calm and fair weather - no snow in sight.

But throughout the morning, more and more precautions were being made ahead of the downpours forecast.

Schools announced they had closed, bus routes were cancelled, and a red weather warning was issued for Somerset.

At 7.20am, the first snow fell in Taunton and across Somerset.

By 10am, much of the county had a decent covering and a number of major buildings, offices and even the courts in Taunton had shut.

The following day, the county awoke to a winter wonderland, in March!

Snowfall up to a couple of feet deep slept on the landscape like a thick, white duvet.

Major roads were closed, including the A303 and the A358 at various points, while almost every school in the county closed to pupils.

The snow lasted for some time and even in to late March and Easter.

The second mini version of the Beast from the East arrived in Somerset and brought with it another heavy snowfall and fun, frustration and disruption to our county.

Temperatures plummeted as both Taunton Deane and West Somerset experienced a white weekend brought to us by the recent cold snap.

A number of crashes involving skidding vehicles were reported, putting pressure on the emergency services.

Public transport was also hit by the adverse weather, leaving people in some rural areas marooned.

We sent our photographer out this week to try an compare some of the shots in the March snow of 2018 to what it looks like now, in 2022, and the contrast is staggering.