The recent cold easterly air reminds me of 40 years ago when we experienced several significant winter spells with polar continental air from Russia and Scandinavia, writes Ian Thomas.
A mild start to the decade, then the notable winter of 1981-82, the very cold months of February 1986 and January 1987 and a mild and stormy finale in the period 1988 -1990.
I am looking back 40 years ago to the winter of 1984-85 and in particular the severe spell in the middle. Following a mild and wet December 1984 it turned very cold from January 5th, 1985. There was frost recorded on 24 days and lows of -9c (16f) on the 13th-14th.
Four significant snowfalls occurred during the month, one of which put down 4.5 inches (114mm) on the 18th. It turned milder over the last four days and indeed into early and late February.
The cold air returned with a vengeance on the 8th and rain and sleet readily gave way to heavy snow from midnight. By midday on the 9th, a full 3-4 inches lay and with temperatures on four days at freezing point or below, the strong easterly wind caused drifting, particularly on higher ground.
The freezing conditions lasted until the 19th before mild Atlantic air pushed back in. A minimum of -13.3c (8f) was noted on the 12th-13th, the coldest February night since February 1956 (even 1963 only managed -10c but was much colder overall).
Me and the other half ventured up on the hills toward Tetbury via the A4135 that Sunday (10th) and took some pictures. Snow ploughs were actually keeping the A4135 clear, even on a Sunday in those days! We were younger then – we wouldn’t do it today. More snow fell during March, and once more the mercury dipped to -7c (19f) before winter finally bowed out by late March with no sting in the tail as some winters have proved.
Pictures by Ian Thomas
