[3] In Ireland on 5 February Dublin Airport was closed for a period to allow snow to be cleared from the runways, delaying flights.

[citation needed] The adverse weather conditions caused schools in some areas of the United Kingdom to close during 2, 3 and 5 February in the Midlands.

These events often help to set up surface weather patterns that give rise to cold spells and snowfall in Europe.

[13] The snow then resulted from several factors starting on 1 February, the main component of which was a strong low pressure area near Spain.

Late on 2 February, a surface-low pressure system, the actual snow storm, developed over the English Channel.

[2] The school closures in the United Kingdom prompted negative comments from parents who were unhappy about the "confusing and contradictory" messages they received.

[20] Some laid the blame of the excessive closures: not on the public's actual ability to make alternative travel arrangements - to 'cope', but on council and school administrators' having an unhelpful risk-averse 'health and safety driven' legal attitude.

[22][23] Swansea University was closed on Tuesday 3 February through concern of the safety of students and staff using icy roads.

On 9 February, heavy rain and melting snow caused flooding in southern England, exacerbated by high tides which trapped water in river systems.

Heavy snow and floods closed roads in Cornwall, Devon, Oxfordshire, Somerset, Hampshire and Sussex.

Transport for London reported that several bus routes had been "suspended or redirected" due to blocked roads.

[26] In Ireland Dublin Bus experienced delays on 3 February, particularly in the southside of the city, around Lucan, Tallaght, Rathfarnham and Enniskerry.

[27] Dublin's M50 experienced severe delays throughout with many commuters reporting lengthy periods until they reached their homes following work.

Hospitals across the region reported great increases in injuries sustained from falling in the snow as large numbers of people came outside to partake in the winter weather.

Sites across south-central England, covering Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, reported that their emergency departments were very busy with minor injuries, with figures of more than one-quarter of all patients suffering falls.

The BBC News channel received its biggest audience since the 2007 London car bombs, and their website was sent 35,000 pictures and videos from people of the snow, their highest number ever.

[43] The region's sporting schedule for the early and latter parts of the week was severely affected by the extreme weather conditions.