Snow Joke

Come on Spring!

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr! It's a good job we've stocked up on logs for the real fires here at the Oakeley Arms because baby, it sure is cold outside!

We are now officially into British springtime, so where's the sunshine? The weather so far this year has been more unpredictable than ever. We've had snow, sleet, ice, rain, floods, thunderstorms, frost and drizzle; you name it - we've had pretty much every weather phenomenon going, apart from sunshine and warm days......

The heavy snow that struck parts of North Wales and Northern England over the weekend is yet to be cleared, with many areas still heavily disrupted by the worse snow-fall seen for years; many homes all over the UK are without electricity and Mountain Rescue and Search & Rescue Teams across the country have been on standby to help people stuck or stranded in the snow. But shouldn't it be warming up by now? It is springtime, after all?

Image by CWMGary on sxc.hu

Well, weather forecasters say that snowy conditions in March are not that unusual - until the 18th March, it is officially still Winter. The current icy weather is being caused by a high pressure system over northern Europe, which is allowing chilly Arctic air to rush over the UK. This cold air meets the Atlantic rains that are pouring in, and turning the rains into snow. 

Forecasters are also warning that the snow could return just in time for Easter, which will mean the first white Easter since 2008. That means there's only one thing for it - come and join us here at the Oakeley Arms for a cosy fire, a good drink and some hearty dinner!

Image by DogBono on sxc.hu

Last summer, forecasters in the USA predicted that the summer of 2013 may well bring an El Nino system towards the UK. If that happens, be prepared for a tropical, hot and sunny summer! All fingers crossed then, because surely we're due a little good weather after all these Arctic conditions??

And don't forget to take care out there folks. Even if the snow has stopped falling, it's not giving way to ice patches, black ice and treacherous driving conditions. Stay safe, and stay warm!