Britain hit by 'beast from the east' blizzards

People make their way through snow in Canary Wharf, London, Britain, February 27, 2018. REUTERS/Tom Jacobs

LONDON (Reuters) - Snow fell over swathes of Britain on Tuesday as freezing weather dubbed "the Beast from the East" swept in from Siberia, forcing some schools to close and snarling the travel plans of thousands.

Parts of eastern Britain have seen up to 10 cm of snow this week and temperatures could fall toward minus 10 Celsius in some rural areas, Britain's weather service said.

"Bitterly cold easterly winds maintain their grip across the UK and we will see further snow showers in some places," said Aidan McGivern, a meteorologist at the Met Office. "It is bitterly cold out there."

A boy plays in the snow next to the Angel of the North statue near Gateshead, Britain, February 27, 2018. REUTERS/Scott Heppell

Train services and some flights were canceled while police warned drivers to take care as they battled blizzards and ice.

In London, snow covered some parts of Westminster and a blizzard briefly swept through the Canary Wharf financial district.

The freezing weather was expected to last for the rest of the week.

A man jogs during a snow shower in London, Britain, February 27, 2018. REUTERS/Hannah McKay

(Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge; Editing by Stephen Addison)

People walk through a snow flurry on Primrose Hill in London, Britain February 27, 2018. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls

Snow falls on Primrose Hill in London, Britain February 27, 2018. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls

Snow falls on Primrose Hill in London, Britain February 27, 2018. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls

Snow filled storm clouds are seen from Primrose Hill in London, Britain February 27, 2018. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls

Snow falls on Primrose Hill in London, Britain February 27, 2018. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls

A man carries an umbrella during a snow shower in London, Britain, February 27, 2018. REUTERS/Hannah McKay