Tonight marks the 75th anniversary of the start of 1947 blizzard.
By 14th March, when it ended, 2100mm of level snow had been measured in County Durham, 4m sheep lost in Wales and potato rationing introduced for the first time ever.
My personal recollection is of dozens of our cows being killed by falling barns due to snow load and of the daily frustration pouring away 3 week's milk.
Not to mention the nightly pain of thawing out frostbitten toes due to the level of fresh lying snow always topping one's wellington boots.
And, due to the delayed spring, average cereal yields in 1947 fell to 2.1 tonnes/hectare.
So far, 2022 looks rather better.
By 14th March, when it ended, 2100mm of level snow had been measured in County Durham, 4m sheep lost in Wales and potato rationing introduced for the first time ever.
My personal recollection is of dozens of our cows being killed by falling barns due to snow load and of the daily frustration pouring away 3 week's milk.
Not to mention the nightly pain of thawing out frostbitten toes due to the level of fresh lying snow always topping one's wellington boots.
And, due to the delayed spring, average cereal yields in 1947 fell to 2.1 tonnes/hectare.
So far, 2022 looks rather better.
Last edited: