WITH this year’s cold snap hitting Essex in December, some snowfall did arrive in the county, but nowhere near as much as what Colchester has faced in the past.

The city has seen some powerful snowstorms hitting in the past with some residents enjoying all the fun which comes with the harsh weather and others struggling.

Colchester was hit by a harsh winter in 1981 when seven to eight inches of snow fell on December 7.

It lay on the ground for more than three weeks until the new year.

Gazette: Colchester council workers clearing the paths in 2010Colchester council workers clearing the paths in 2010 (Image: N/A)

Gazette: The 11 foot snowman built in Tiptree by Michael Sibley, Charlotte Clarke, Ricky Pulford, Joe Lee, Ben Ager and Wayne SmithThe 11 foot snowman built in Tiptree by Michael Sibley, Charlotte Clarke, Ricky Pulford, Joe Lee, Ben Ager and Wayne Smith (Image: Public)

More recently in 2009 and 2010, north Essex experienced the worst snow it had seen in 30 years.

Tthe snow was the worst the area had experienced since 1979 when almost 11 inches snow fell on February 13 and 14.

Gazette: St James and St Pauls school in Colchester remained open and pupils enjoyed time in the snowSt James and St Pauls school in Colchester remained open and pupils enjoyed time in the snow (Image: N/A)

The 2010 cold snap started when temperatures began to dip on December 10.

Four inches of snow fell on December 17, and the sub-zero temperatures continued until the end of the month.

Snow fell again on New Year’s Day and six centimetres of snow fell in one on night on January 6.

Gazette: Shawn Abeyratne launches Amy De’agh down a path to Clacton seafrontShawn Abeyratne launches Amy De’agh down a path to Clacton seafront (Image: N/A)

Just under a decade later, Britain was hit with Anticyclone Hartmut.

More commonly referred to as the Beast from the East, the cold snap sunk its icy claws into the country on February 24, 2018 and refused to loosen its grip for roughly nine days.

Gazette: Riley Brand, three. during his first experience of the snow during the Beast from the EastRiley Brand, three. during his first experience of the snow during the Beast from the East (Image: N/A)

Gazette: Eden Milller-Mayhew, six, enjoying a day off of school in DovercourtEden Milller-Mayhew, six, enjoying a day off of school in Dovercourt (Image: N/A)

During that time people from across Colchester and Tendring frequently found themselves caught-up in widespread traffic havoc.

At its worst, the Beast from the East saw sub-zero conditions generate four inches of snow and several towns and villages in the area were cut off.

Gazette: Colchester Castle Park covered in snow thanks to the Beast from the EastColchester Castle Park covered in snow thanks to the Beast from the East (Image: N/A)

Gazette: Eloise and Isobel Bridges making the most of a day off school in the snowEloise and Isobel Bridges making the most of a day off school in the snow (Image: N/A)