WHILE drivers were left cursing the snow and ice, others were delighted by the unexpected winter wonderland.
Simon Maidment, 29, and Steph Ayre, 26, both from Chelmsford, were walking to work at Essex County Council.
"It is really pretty when you're looking at it from the inside of your home. I was very surprised to see the snow when I got up this morning," said Steph.
Seven-year-old Harriet Punter was being pulled through Central Park on a sledge on her way to school by her mother, Beth.
Beth, 41, said: "She's delighted – she's been going on about snow since July.
"Getting to school should actually be quicker than usual today because at least I can pull her along. It's good exercise for me too."
Meanwhile, Debenhams workers, Mauro Borges, 23, Nick Wood, 23, and Curtis Bryan, 23, were happily shovelling snow from the front and back entrances of the store on the high street.
Nick, from Springfield said: "I love the snow, I think it is great, it just makes everything look better as well."
Others stayed cheerful, despite nightmarish journeys to work.
Recess coffee shop manager, Rosie Morris, 22, from Great Baddow, was also shovelling snow outside her shop, which opened late.
She said: "It took me 40 minutes to get to work, which normally takes just ten minutes."
Chelmsford County Council's Street Care worker, Aaron Norman, 38, said: "I'll be here all day shovelling the snow in the town centre. The most important thing is to clear this area for pedestrians."
