Get Ready For Snowmaggedon - Again!

The Daily Mail has been publishing claims that the UK will once more be plunged into freezing temperatures this winter. According to the paper, local councils are already stockpiling grit across the UK. The Daily Mail also highlighted a long range weather forecast made by forecaster James Madden for Exacta Weather. James’ predictions have been picked up by various national media - he says he expects “the most frequent and heavy snowfalls to occur across many parts of the UK during November, December and January...”. If James is correct, we all need to be fully prepared for another big freeze.

 There was also some shocking and strange weather related news from the Telegraph recently. They claim that Met Office weathermen kept some of their forecasts for last winter totally secret! Their journalists claim that the Met Office was well aware the UK was “facing an exceptionally cold winter”, but did not make forecasts available early enough to help the public. Apparently predictions were secretly given to the Government in October, but they weren't publicly released due to “facing severe criticism over the accuracy of its long-term forecasts”. When the public were finally given warnings a month later, it was just a matter of days before the UK saw some of the coldest temperatures on record. The Telegraph say “motoring and passenger groups” blame the delay in releasing information for considerably hindering preparations for the freezing weather.

In the meantime, the BBC is said to be “publishing independent assessments” of the Met Office’s performance on its website! As ever, it may take a while before the matter is fully settled in public. It does seem to be a rum state of affairs when the press is accusing the Met Office of literally hiding vital forecasts. Whatever the press and forecasters say, I’m getting my home ready - whether we freeze or have a milder winter, I’ll still save money and stay far warmer. Insulating letter boxes, window and door frames and any single glazing is essential. I installed automatic heating controls long ago to avoid those shocking bills - it means I don’t waste money heating rooms that are not in use at certain times of the day. And our living room is now a haven of warmth, with the sofa now resplendent with our new cosy sheeps wool comforters and faux-fur hot water bottles. It feels really festive in there now, with the fireplace and the Christmas tree. The hot water bottle goes on my wife, the TV goes on and voila, the perfect way to unwind. Photo by Gary Scott.